Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian southpaw fighter and heavyweight undisputed champion, solidified his dominance over British boxer Tyson Fury with a second victory, this time with a score of 116-112. The fight took place last Saturday at the Arena Kingdom of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated crowd of 26,000 to 30,000 people. Usyk displayed his World Boxing Association, World Council, and International Organization belts in the bout.
The IBF, previously held by Usyk, now recognizes Londoner Daniel Dubois as champion after Usyk knocked him out in 9 rounds on August 26. Dubois requested a rematch at the end of the fight in Riyadh.
Many fans and media outlets consider the 36-year-old Usyk, with a record of 23-0-0 and 14 knockouts, to be the top contender in the heavyweight division and a strong candidate for Boxer of the Year 2024. With victories over Fury and previous opponents, Usyk is considered one of the best Ukraine-born boxers in history.
Usyk, who stands at 6’3″ and weighed in at 226 pounds, faced the much larger Fury in the bout. Despite a cautious start, Usyk gradually took control of the fight, landing damaging blows to Fury’s body and head. Both fighters had their moments in the ring, but Usyk ultimately emerged victorious with a clear advantage on the judges’ scorecards.
In the era of multiple belts, only 13 boxers, including two women, have been called Undisputed Champions. These include Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Europeans, and the Colombian-Belgian Cecilia Braekus.
As we approach the new year, we wish boxing fans and everyone a happy Christmas Eve and a healthy and joy-filled 2025.
