 |
| Fury vs Usyk 2 | Photo courtesy of Frank Warren Facebook Page |
December 22, Manila – Across the continent, while most Filipino fans were still asleep, hardcore boxing enthusiasts like me stayed up to witness the much-anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The fight took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and delivered on its promise of being spectacular.
Thanks to Riyadh Season, which continues to elevate the sport with incredible matchups and world-class production, boxing is entering a new era. But you’re not here for a promoter shoutout—you want to know how the smaller Usyk managed to defeat the seemingly invincible Gypsy King. Let’s dive in.
The Pre-Fight Assessment
This was a rematch, so we already had an idea of what kind of fight to expect. The first fight was thrilling and, for some, controversial. Critics claimed Fury would have been knocked out if the referee hadn’t interfered. But as Usyk himself said, it didn’t matter—he won, and that’s what counted.
Their first encounter ended in a split decision, which set the stage for this much-needed rematch. Everything leading up to the fight, from the press conferences to the weigh-ins, hinted at an epic showdown.
The weigh-in, however, raised some eyebrows. Fury tipped the scales at his heaviest ever, 281 pounds, while Usyk weighed in at 226 pounds—a whopping 55-pound difference. It seemed like Fury was aiming to use his size to dominate. But instead, that extra weight turned out to be a disadvantage.
Speed and Skills Kill
As expected, the fight went the full 12 rounds. While the first fight was close, the rematch left no doubt—Oleksandr Usyk won decisively.
Usyk’s punches were sharper and more effective, while Fury appeared slower and less responsive. Was it the extra weight? Probably. Usyk’s speed, footwork, and aggression were on full display, and Fury simply couldn’t keep up.
In boxing, there’s a saying: if you’re the challenger, you need to be the aggressor. But in this fight, it was Usyk—despite being the defending champion—who controlled the pace. His head movement and footwork kept Fury guessing, and his punches landed with precision. Fury, on the other hand, gave Usyk too much respect, likely still wary after their first encounter.
Fury did have moments of success, particularly with body shots and counter punches, but it wasn’t enough. As the fight progressed, Fury slowed down even more, allowing Usyk to dominate rounds 6 through 12.
— Delinquent MMA (@DelinquentMMA) December 22, 2024
Even the AI judge, introduced for the first time in a major fight, scored the bout 118-112 in Usyk’s favor. Fury’s larger-than-life personality may still charm fans, but on this night, his boxing wasn’t enough to impress the judges.
Usyk now with 23 (undefeated) wins via unanimous decision against Fury who dropped to 34 wins, 2 defeats and 1 draw.
 |
| Usyk vs Fury 2 Official Scores |
A Humble Champion Welcomes New Challenges
While Tyson Fury is known for his entertaining post-fight interviews and impromptu singing, this time, he skipped the microphone. Instead, it was Oleksandr Usyk’s humility that stole the show.
When asked about the scoring, Usyk simply said he won and that was all that mattered. He then shifted the conversation to a heartwarming story about his son’s recent judo tournament victory, saying his son had predicted, “You’re next, Dad.”
The wholesome moment didn’t last long, as Daniel Dubois entered the ring to issue a challenge. Usyk’s response? Simple: he told his promoter to make it happen. The exchange was brief and respectful, leaving fans eager for what’s next.
Filipino Fans and More Sleepless Nights
Riyadh Season is doing wonders for boxing, bringing fans dream matchups with jaw-dropping production quality. While staying up late is tough at my age, it’s worth it for events like this. Watching a well-organized spectacle reminds me why I love the sport—and why I hope to one day experience it live.
If there was one hiccup, it was the DAZN PPV stream, which lagged and blacked out for several minutes. It felt like déjà vu from the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Netflix fiasco. Still, the technical issues might just be a sign of how many fans were tuning in legitimately.
Here’s hoping DAZN resolves these issues for future events. Who knows? Maybe I’ll win their promo for a trip to Riyadh to watch Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2. Two tickets, return flights, and two nights in a hotel? Sign me up!
Get your DAZN app here: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lfyAV/pubref:DAZNPOWCAST
.jpg)
%20(4).jpg)
%20Mami%20Yasui.jpg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments