Another excellent bout for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship showcased a compelling matchup between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Usyk, a former Olympic gold medalist and the undisputed cruiserweight champion, successfully defended his title while maintaining his unbeaten record. Facing him was Tyson Fury, the former lineal heavyweight champion and Ring Magazine champion, as well as a previous unified titleholder. This high-stakes encounter reaffirmed Usyk’s elite status in the heavyweight division.
This loaded fight card, consisting of eight exciting bouts, was hosted at the Kingdom Arena in prestigious Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 20, 2024.
Full card results:
Moses Itauma def. Demsey McKean (TKO 1/10); Heavyweights
Johnny Fisher def. Dave Allen (SD 10); Heavyweights
Peter McGrail def. Rhys Edwards (UD 10); Super Featherweight
Lee McGregor def. Isaac Lowe (UD 10); Featherweights
Daniel Lapin def. Dylan Colin (UD 10); Light Heavyweights
Andrii Novytskyi def. Edgar Ramirez (UD 10); Heavyweights
The bout commenced in a manner reminiscent of their previous encounter, with Fury employing his long left jab effectively while Usyk sought to establish his footing, attempting to maneuver into advantageous angles to penetrate Fury’s defenses. However, this time, Fury displayed improved preparedness, successfully absorbing the majority of Usyk’s punches—particularly the signature looping left hook that had previously posed significant threats.
In the initial four rounds, both fighters targeted the body to diminish each other’s defenses. Usyk’s output consisted predominantly of lighter, volume-based punches, while Fury capitalized on his power, landing decisive right hooks to Usyk’s left side. Fury’s jab was instrumental during this phase, likely enabling him to edge out the rounds on the scorecards.
As the fight progressed into the fifth round, Usyk shifted gears, escalating his aggression and consistently pressuring the larger Fury. While Fury occasionally countered with an aggressive flurry of one-twos coupled with body shots to momentarily disrupt Usyk’s momentum, these bursts became increasingly sporadic. The overall dynamic favored Usyk, who appeared to gain energy and control as Fury began to show signs of fatigue. This shift indicated a clear change in momentum as Usyk’s activity rate increased, while Fury struggled to sustain his earlier intensity.
In this tactical bout, neither fighter was able to inflict significant damage on the other, resembling an intricate chess match. Usyk’s increasing connect rate showcased his precision and adaptability, captivating the audience throughout the fight. Meanwhile, the veteran Fury displayed remarkable resolve, executing a few notable two-punch combinations in the championship rounds that resonated well with the crowd. However, by this point in the contest, it was evident that Usyk’s consistent output and visually impactful striking would likely secure him another victory in this rematch and that was indeed the case with the final score cards having it 116-112 unanimously.
Interestingly, the pre-fight period exhibited a notable shift in Fury’s approach, characterized by strategic seclusion. He intentionally limited interactions with the media and distanced himself from family and friends to focus intensively on his training regimen and preparation for a potentially historic victory. Sadly, it would seem that fate had other plans.