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Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury on points on Saturday to make it a double over the Briton, retaining the unified heavyweight titles in the process.
Usyk defeated Fury on points in Maybecoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. That result in Riyadh kept the Ukrainian unbeaten, while Fury tasted defeat for the first time as a professional.
And on Saturday, in the same Saudi city, Usyk repeated the result, beating Fury and retaining the unified titles. And this time it was clearer, as Usyk won 116-112 on all three scores, after winning by split decision in May.
While Usyk’s first win secured undisputed heavyweight status – having previously reigned as the undisputed heavyweight king – the southpaw vacated the IBF title in June. As such, only the WBC, WBO and WBA belts were on the line in Saturday’s rematch.
In falling to another loss to Usyk, the 36-year-old Fury fell short of becoming a three-time world champion. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Usyk will leave Saudi Arabia with his perfect record intact.
The fight was finely balanced as it reached its midpoint, with Fury using his size at times to carry on Usyk and landing the harder punches at times.
However, the Ukrainian’s cardio, mobility, accuracy and shot selection also paid off. In fact, he sought to take advantage of the challenger’s size by frequently attacking Fury’s body, which visibly disappeared in the later rounds.
In the ring after the fight, Usyk said: “I won, it’s good.” When asked how he seems to be progressing, even a month before his 38th birthday, he joked: “I don’t know, maybe I’m training, I’m preparing well.
“My wife helped me, my children,” he added, before dedicating the victory to his mother.
Of Fury, who did not stay in the ring for an interview, Usyk said: “Listen, he’s a great fighter, a great opponent. It’s a great 24 rounds, an amazing 24 rounds for my career.”
Usyk also faced Daniel Dubois, who he stopped in 2023, and who holds the IBF belt that Usyk vacated in June.
Dubois is scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February, but Usyk accepted the Briton’s calls for a rematch.