Oleksandr Usyk produces masterful display to slay giant Tyson Fury again
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It was not as dramatic as their first meeting but this was another masterful display from Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian is now, without any doubt, the greatest heavyweight of this era. Tyson Fury failed in his bid to regain the crown as king of the sport’s glamour division. The bigger man by far but Usyk is now the giant slayer. Anthony Joshua and Fury have now been beaten by him twice. Daniel Dubois, too.
This was supposed to be the golden era for British heavyweights. It was supposed to be a compatriot of Lennox Lewis who took on the undisputed title. But Usyk took that in May and, although he doesn’t hold the IBF title anymore, the WBA, WBO and WBC belts are in his hands and, most importantly, the world knows he’s the best.
He’s ripped through British boxing’s heavy hitters and in some style. All three judges scored the fight to Usyk 116-112. Usyk, 37, was the deserving winner of a close fight despite Fury's claims otherwise and this display was delightful. A masterclass from a boxing master. Usyk celebrated by dropping to his knees. He was anointed the king of the division in May. He held onto his crown here.
Fury, three times previously stopping his opponents in rematches, had no comeback story here. Usyk is another level of the likes of Deontay Wilder. That was evident here. But the Gypsy King, 36, was much improved than their first meeting in May and could have more to offer down the line. Even in defeat, it could go down as one of his better performances. Yet the Ukrainian also summoned another gear when needed to win the fight through the middle rounds.
