On the night of December 21-22, 2024, the world witnessed a historic fight at the Kingdom Arena in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk faced British champion Tyson Fury in a rematch. The fight was of decisive importance, as the WBO, WBA, WBC world titles, as well as the commemorative WBC belt, created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the legendary fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, were at stake.
Referee: Robert Ramirez Jr. (Puerto Rico). Judges: Pat Morley (USA), Gerardo Martinez (Puerto Rico) and Ignacio Robles (Panama).
Tyson Fury entered the ring weighing a record 127.4 kg – 10 kilograms more than before. Oleksandr Usyk weighs 102.5 kg.
1 round
The boxers exchanged several reconnaissance blows. They tried to aim. However, neither boxer inflicted any serious injuries on the other in the first round.
Round 2
Tyson Fury started the round in the center. Oleksandr Usyk managed to lightly punch the Briton in the chest with his left hand. And deliver another blow in return, under the opponent's ribs. The Ukrainian works well on the body.
However, Fury also matches our athlete in appearance.
Round 3
Another exchange of blows. A serious attack by Oleksandr Usyk, which ended with Fury hitting the Ukrainian in the back of the head. The exchange of blows continues. Oleksandr does not want to give the first rounds to his opponent.
Fury is already having a hard time. Experts said before the fight that the Briton needed to take the opening five rounds, because then he would quickly tire due to the huge weight. Towards the end of the round, Usyk punched his opponent in the stomach several times.
Round 4
Oleksandr Usyk starts the round with an attack again. He tries to confuse Fury with his right hand. Tyson tries to respond, but misses several times. And yet sometimes finds Usyk.
Oleksandr Usyk landed two serious blows to Fury's face with his left hand – in the words of the commentator, "straight to the cherry." Tyson clearly wasn't expecting this.
Fury began to get tangled in his own legs and clinch the Ukrainian, draining his energy.
Round 5
The boxers are also trading blows with equal boldness. Tyson Fury clinches the Ukrainian, pinning him to the ropes. Usyk lands two serious blows to the liver and then punches him in the face, but Fury stays on his feet and even responds.
Usyk lands a two-punch, but it's not enough to knock Fury down. However, it's safe to say that Fury hasn't been able to take the early rounds.
Round 6
Oleksandr Usyk hits his opponent in the chest again to affect his breathing capabilities. Three blows from Usyk to Fury's head. The Ukrainian confidently jumps around the huge opponent, he still has strength. And finally, Oleksandr Usyk landed a serious blow to the "beard" and continued to surprise Tyson.
Round 7
Round 7. The moment when Oleksandr Usyk should take the upper hand in the situation. He tried and pinned Fury in the corner, but with practically no punches and no hits at all. However, Fury soon got hit in the forehead again. The Briton got tired of keeping his hands up, which our athlete took advantage of, scoring a “deuce”.
Round 8
Oleksandr Usyk is swinging his opponent from side to side and trying to pin him under the ropes. The referee is very slow to react to the boxers' blows in the clinch. Tyson is very tired and is increasingly “hanging” on Usyk to defend himself from his blows.
Round 9
Oleksandr Usyk continues to be more accurate in his punches than Tyson Fury. Our boxer has stopped acting actively, he rests in the ninth round. However, Fury understands this and responds with several punches. The Briton still hits his opponent in the shorts.
A good headbutt to Tyson Fury!
Round 10
Fury continues to hang on to Usyk. It is clear that the Ukrainian is also seriously tired. However, this does not prevent him from striking the Briton. The opponent is getting closer and closer. He does not want to fight, he wants to hug. But Alexander does not want to and hits him in the head.
Round 11
Tyson Fury continues to fight “dirty”. And once again he hits the Ukrainian on the back of the head and tries to find Usyk’s chin with an uppercut. Our athlete responds with blows to the body. After that, Usyk finds Fury’s head twice more.
“Good evening, I'm the dispatcher.” Oleksandr Usyk lands a serious blow.
Round 12
LAST ROUND. Oleksandr Usyk, visually, wins on points over Tyson Fury and continues to humiliate the huge Briton in front of thousands of fans. Time is running out for the Ukrainian. But Tyson does not stand still and tries to give his best in the last minutes. Although Usyk is not a miss!
Another “dirt” from Fury. He’s yelling again. He doesn’t want to box. But in the final seconds, Usyk landed some devastating blows that still didn’t break Fury.
The fight ended with a unanimous decision by the judges – OLEKSANDR USYK WON!
