In a highly anticipated rematch on December 21, 2024, at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, Oleksandr Usyk once again showcased his boxing mastery, securing a unanimous decision over Tyson Fury to retain his unified heavyweight titles.
All three judges scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Usyk, reaffirming his dominance in the heavyweight division.
Fight Dynamics and Statistics
From the opening bell, Usyk’s tactical brilliance was evident. He employed superior footwork and precise combinations to disrupt Fury’s rhythm. Throughout the 12-round contest, Usyk landed 42% of his punches, surpassing Fury’s 28% connect rate. A pivotal moment occurred in the ninth round, where Usyk’s accuracy peaked at 55%, underscoring his control in the latter stages of the fight. Despite Fury’s attempts to assert his physicality and higher punch volume, Usyk’s defensive acumen and counterpunching effectively neutralized these advances. This performance extended Usyk’s unblemished professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts.
Technological Innovation in Scoring
A notable feature of this rematch was the introduction of an AI-powered judge, designed to provide an unbiased assessment of the fight. The AI judge scored the bout 118-112 in favor of Usyk, a slightly wider margin than the human judges’ scores. This development has sparked discussions within the boxing community about the potential role of artificial intelligence in enhancing scoring accuracy and reducing human error in the sport.
Reactions and Implications
The outcome elicited varied reactions. Fury and his promoter, Frank Warren, expressed disagreement with the decision, contending that Fury had dominated significant portions of the fight. Conversely, Usyk’s victory was celebrated by many, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who praised Usyk’s perseverance and drew parallels between the boxer’s resilience and the determination of the Ukrainian people amid ongoing challenges.
Future Prospects
This second consecutive victory over Fury cements Usyk’s legacy in the heavyweight division. As discussions about potential future opponents emerge, the boxing world keenly anticipates whether Usyk will pursue further unification bouts or consider other challengers within the division.
