Written by Sean Crose
The atmosphere was intense in Riyadh as Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion, made a grand entrance resembling a Ukrainian warrior. Meanwhile, Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight titlist, took a simpler approach without an elaborate costume but engaged with the crowd, dancing, smiling, and even singing along to Barry White. As the fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship began, the tension was palpable through the twelve tough rounds. Fury tried to intimidate Usyk with playful antics during the referee’s instructions.
Both fighters cautiously tested the distance and control in the opening round, with Fury displaying early taunting but both landing significant punches. Fury was rocked at the start of the second round, and Usyk targeted Fury’s midsection with strong jabs. However, Fury found his rhythm and landed effective shots. The fast-paced third round had both exchanging powerful blows, with Fury’s showmanship catching attention.
A powerful uppercut from Fury in the fourth round visibly affected Usyk, who then faced aggressive body shots. Fury dominated the fifth round with relentless attacks, briefly stunning Usyk with a hard right in the sixth. Despite Usyk’s pressure, Fury controlled the match at the halfway mark, struggling in the seventh before landing a significant blow. Usyk surprised everyone by taking charge in the eighth, repeatedly hitting Fury.
In the ninth, Usyk hurt Fury and knocked him down before the bell, maintaining a threat in the tenth as Fury displayed resilience. Fury slightly lost his edge in the eleventh, leading to a close finish in the twelfth. Usyk was ultimately awarded a split decision victory by the judges.
Post-fight, Usyk expressed gratitude towards his faith, while Fury accepted the result gracefully. Fury hinted at the influence of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the outcome. Both fighters confirmed their readiness for a rematch as stipulated in their contract. “I am prepared for a rematch,” confirmed Usyk, setting the stage for future showdowns between these exceptional athletes.
