Undisputed: Oleksandr Usyk Drops, Edges Fury to Claim Heavyweight Glory
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 May 2024
Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine dropped and narrowly edged Tyson Fury of the UK, winning by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).
Judges' scores: Manuel Oliver Palomo, 115-112 Usyk, Mike Fitzgerald, 114-113 Usyk and Craig Metcalf 114-113 Fury. PhilBoxing had it 115-112 for Usyk.
Usyk started fast, immediately dictating the tempo of the fight showing solid defensive moves and connecting with lefts to Fury's head as Fury tried to showboat his way around. In the 4th round, Fury began to get busy, found his distance, and neutralized Usyk's phantom lefts, connecting with rights to Usyk's head and body.
Fury continued the momentum in the next couple of rounds, at one point buckling Usyk with a body shot in the 6th round. At that point, the adage "A good big man will always beat a good little man" seemed to hold true as Fury, at 6'9", grew bigger by the minute while the 6'3" Usyk was cut down to size.
In round seven, however, Usyk, who has been known to beat the odds throughout his life, turned the tables on Fury. He came back strong, connected with his lefts again, and never relinquished his control of the fight, totally dominating Fury the rest of the night.
In the closing minute of the 9th round, Usyk was hitting Fury from pillar to post with combinations, staggering the Manchester native from end to end of the ring. The ropes prevented Fury from dropping to the canvas, but veteran referee Mark Nelson rightly called for a knockdown. The bell saved Fury from being knocked out.
It was academic from there on as Fury, who famously 'came back from the dead' against Deontay Wilder, apparently lost his sting and was there only to survive Usyk's bombs and combinations.
In the end, speed and skill trumped size and reputation as Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis ruled the division from 1999 to 2000.
Rematch
In the post-fight interview, Tyson Fury said he believed he won the fight and wants an immediate rematch as stipulated in the contract.
Usyk, however, said he wants to go home first and enjoy his victory before thinking about the rematch.
Usyk remains undefeated with 22 wins and 14 KOs, while Fury suffered his first defeat and dropped to 34-1-1, 24 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
Thu, 07 May 2026Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 06 May 2026Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
Wed, 06 May 2026