Usyk defeats Fury in heavyweight rematch, cements legacy

Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious in his highly anticipated heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury on Saturday night, defeating the British boxer by unanimous decision. The win solidifies Usyk’s unbeaten record across two weight divisions and strengthens his position among boxing’s all-time greats.

The Ukrainian southpaw, known for his precision and relentless pace, was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, marking Fury’s second consecutive defeat. With the victory, Usyk extends his career to 23-0, including 14 knockouts, and adds another chapter to a resume that already includes Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.

“He’s a great fighter; it’s a great performance,” said Usyk, 37, in reference to Fury, who was undefeated in his first 35 professional fights before losing their first bout in May. “Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”

Saturday’s rematch saw only three of the four major belts—WBA, WBO, and WBC—on the line. Usyk had relinquished his IBF title earlier this year to prioritize the lucrative rematch with Fury.

By defeating Fury in May, Usyk became the first fighter of the four-belt era to hold all heavyweight titles simultaneously, joining legends like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis as undisputed champions.

“He’s my best friend,” Usyk said of Fury. “I respect this guy because I think he’s a really tough opponent. Tyson Fury makes me strong.”

Fury’s uncertain future

The loss leaves Fury with a 34-2-1 record and raises questions about the 36-year-old’s career trajectory. Fury had previously announced his retirement in 2022 before returning 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,” Fury said, avoiding any commitment to future plans.

Promoter Frank Warren criticized the judges’ decision, calling it “nuts,” but Usyk dismissed the complaints with characteristic humor, saying, “Uncle Frank, I think is blind… crazy man.”