HOMETOWN HERO: Ukrainian President Zelenskiy hailed Usyk’s victory as proof that their country ‘would not give up what’s ours’ after nearly three years of war with Russia
AFP, RIYADH
Oleksandr Usyk early yesterday won his heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury by unanimous decision to stay unbeaten across two divisions and cement his place among the greats.
The Ukrainian, who forced the pace and repeatedly tagged Fury with his accurate left hook, was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, handing Fury his second straight loss.
Usyk’s win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers that includes Olympic gold and undisputed champion at cruiserweight.
Oleksandr Usyk, right, punches Tyson Fury during their heavyweight championship bout in Riyadh early yesterday.
Photo: Reuters
“He’s a great fighter; it’s a great performance,” Usyk, 37, said of Fury, who was unbeaten over 35 fights until he lost their four-belt unification bout in May. “Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”
Only the WBA, WBO and WBC belts were on the line this time after Usyk, focused on the lucrative rematch, relinquished his IBF title rather than face challenger Daniel Dubois.
By beating Fury in May, “The Cat” had already joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight, and the first of the four-belt era.
Britain’s Moses Itauma, back, walks away after knocking down Australia’s Demsey McKean in their boxing match in Riyadh early yesterday.
Photo: Reuters
“He’s my best friend,” he said of Fury. “I respect this guy because I think he’s a really tough opponent. Tyson Fury makes me strong.”
The defeat opens up an uncertain future for the 36-year-old Fury, now 34-2-1, who announced his retirement in 2022 only to return to the ring.
“I thought I’ve won both fights, but then again I’ve got two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” said the Briton, who declined to discuss his next steps.
Fury insisted Usyk got an early Christmas gift from the judges.
“Listen, it is what it is. I’m not going to cry over spilt milk, it’s happened now,” he said. “I know boxing, I’ve been in it all my life — you can’t change no decisions, but I feel a little bit hard done by, actually a lot.”
“There was a little bit of Christmas spirit in there. He got a little Christmas gift,” he added.
Promoter Frank Warren also called the judges’ decision “nuts,” but Usyk dismissed his complaints.
“Uncle Frank, I think is blind … crazy man,” the Ukrainian joked.
Fury, wearing a Santa-style red-and-white robe and bushy beard, appeared to Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, before a determined-looking Usyk strode out in Cossack gear.
An Usyk uppercut to Fury’s chin highlighted a furious final round and there seemed little doubt about the winner as the Ukrainian sank to his knees, arms aloft.
Usyk, who briefly served as a soldier after the Russian invasion, celebrated by holding up a sabre that belonged to Ivan Mazepa, a hero of Ukrainian nationalism who fought against Russian control in the early 1700s.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was quick to hail the victory, calling it proof that Ukraine “would not give up what’s ours” after nearly three years of war with Russia.
“Victory! So important and so needed by all of us right now,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.
“By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what is ours! No matter how hard it gets — we will overcome everything,” he added. “Whether it is in the ring, on the battlefield or in the diplomatic arena — we will fight and we will not give up what is ours! Congratulations on your victory, Cossack! Congratulations on your victory, Ukraine!”
Reports put the prize purse at an increased US$190 million with Usyk, as defending champion, expected to receive the bigger share — a reversal of fortunes from May.
Among the night’s other fights, 19-year-old British heavyweight Moses Itauma improved to 11-0 with a first-round knockout of Australian Demsey McKean.
Additional reporting by staff writer, with Reuters
