Usyk defeats Fury by points decision in Riyadh and retains the heavyweight title | Boxing news

Oleksandr Usyk remained undefeated when Successfully defended Won his undisputed heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Tyson Fury on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Judges Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley and Ignacio Robles had identical scores in favor of Usyk, 116-112.

Usyk landed 179 of 423 punches thrown (42 percent), while Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) landed just 144 of 509 punches thrown, 28 percent.

When asked if he agreed with the judges’ findings, Usyk implied that he had no right to question it, just boxing. “I won, it’s good,” said Usyk (23-0, 14 knockouts). “Not my deal. I won. Thank you, God.”

The highly anticipated rematch of the May bout in which Fury suffered his first loss has lived up to the hype from the moment the boxers entered the arena.

Usyk’s team asked the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission during a rules meeting on Friday to authorize Fury to cut his beard before their unified heavyweight rematch.

He sported a strong Santa Claus beard less than a week before Christmas, but the 36-year-old was lounging around unshaven and wearing a bright red Christmas-themed onesie with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” accompanying him on… His march to the bell.

After Fury opened the fight at a fairly fast pace and dominated the first two rounds, Usyk responded in the third and fourth rounds by working the body while slipping in occasional power combinations to the head.

Fury landed several powerful blows in the fifth round, but Usyk’s left hand was the story in the sixth, stunning his larger and taller opponent twice.

In the second half of the fight, it became clear that carrying the extra weight was wearing down Fury, as the pace started to catch up with him while Usyk’s calm and patient style worked to his advantage. Usyk’s ability to come in and strike quickly and damage Fury with stinging combinations was the difference.

Feeling the pressure, a lusty Fury came out swinging in the 10th, bullying Usyk throughout the round. Usyk stopped him at times with a set piece, while Fury scored late.

Usyk’s speed came alive again in the 11th, landing powerful combinations on Fury’s head to keep him at bay.

The two traded flurries of punches in the final round, with Fury hoping to make a last impression on the judges while Usyk looked for an exclamation point.

Turki Al Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, announced on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the week that the experimental AI judge would also return the results. An innovative virtual system earned Usyk a 118-112 win.

Fury, who now holds a 5-1 lead in the rematch, left the ring immediately after the result was announced, but later told reporters in the locker room area: “I thought I won it by at least three rounds. I controlled the fight.”

“I thought I won both fights, but again I have two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” he added at the press conference while suffering from bruises over his right eye.

“I can only fight my heart and do my best. But I will always believe until the day I die that I won that battle.

There were only three belts on the line this time around after Usyk was stripped by the IBF for not facing mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.

Dubois interrupted Usyk’s post-fight interview, grabbed the microphone and demanded a rematch from their fight on August 26, 2023. Usyk won by knockout in the ninth round.

“I want revenge, Usyk,” Dubois said. “Well done tonight, but I want revenge.”

Usyk obliged by telling the authorities present: “Your Excellency, make me fight with Daniel. Thank you very much.”