23/12/2024
Oleksandr Usyk won his heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury by unanimous decision overnight on Saturday to stay unbeaten across two divisions and cement his place among the greats.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
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‘Crazy man’
But 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.
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“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 refused to discuss his next steps.
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Promoter Frank Warren also called the judges’ decision “nuts”. But Usyk dismissed his complaints.
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“Uncle Frank, I think is blind… crazy man,” joked the Ukrainian.
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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.
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The 6ft 9ins (206cm) Briton’s jab held Usyk at bay early on and he landed a jarring right in round two. Usyk caught Fury flush with a left as he raised the pace in round three.