Overview
On May 18, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in front of celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Garcia, Neymar, Jean Claude Van Damme, Steven Gerrard, and many others, we witnessed one of the most iconic matches in recent decades in the WBC (World Boxing Council). On one side of the ring stood the renowned “The Gypsy King,” Tyson Fury, known by this nickname due to his Irish Traveller heritage, proud of his Irish roots.
He entered the ring with a flawless record of 33 victories, including 24 by knockout, 1 draw, and 0 defeats, having beaten well-known boxers such as Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, Deontay Wilder, and others. On the other side stood the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, also known as “The Cat.” Before moving up to the Heavyweight category, Usyk was the undisputed champion of the Cruiserweight division, boasting a record of 21 victories, including 14 knockouts, and 0 defeats.
Certainly, the fight that brought Usyk much fame in the past was when he defeated the British boxer from Watford, Anthony Joshua, twice: first in 2021, where he claimed the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles, and about a year later, again against Joshua, defending his titles and winning the fight after 12 rounds. This time, however, he was preparing to face a very different challenge, against the heavyweight champion from Manchester, Tyson Fury.
Why did this fight make history? Why was it so important for the media? Even before the fight, everyone imagined it would become a monumental clash, two titans challenging each other in the ring with distinct fighting styles and philosophies of boxing.
Different Styles Of Training
During the preparation for the fight, there was an extensive study of the opponent’s techniques. Tyson Fury was supported by his coach SugarHill Steward, who intensified Fury’s training with sparring, strength conditioning, and defensive skills. Usyk’s coach, Anatoly Lomachenko, trained the Ukrainian boxer through cardiovascular workouts, agility in the ring, and how to navigate Fury’s physicality and target the British fighter’s weaknesses.
Press Conference
During the press conference, Tyson Fury, also known as the showman, couldn’t resist mind games and trash-talking, trying from the beginning to put pressure on the Ukrainian, who, however, remained calm and composed, not yielding to these tactics.
The fight was in the Heavyweight category, and both boxers adhered to the weight regulations. Tyson Fury stood at 6’9″, weighing 122kg, while Usyk, with a height of 6’3″ and a weight of 99kg. The physical disparity set the stage for a match between power and strength versus speed and agility.
Round By Round
The first 3 rounds were a continuous study of the opponent. Fury tried to use his jab to keep Usyk at bay, while the Ukrainian manoeuvred around him to try to land his punches. Between the fourth and sixth rounds, Fury attempted to apply pressure on Usyk, imposing his physicality, but Usyk found his rhythm and began hitting Fury with combinations.
The Gypsy King held his ground and started landing punches on Usyk, slowing him down considerably. What made the difference in the final rounds was Usyk’s stamina. He staged a comeback and continued with his combinations, putting Fury in trouble as the British fighter struggled to land punches on The Cat. In the last round, we witnessed both fighters giving it their all. Fury continued his aggression, while Usyk managed to control the giant, landing more punches for the final scorecard.
Decision
After 12 rounds of intense battle, the fight concluded with a split decision, delivering the victory to Oleksandr Usyk. The scores were: Judge 1: 115-113 Usyk, Judge 2: 114-114 Draw, Judge 3: 116-112 Usyk. In the end, Tyson Fury’s sportsmanship took the spotlight as he congratulated Usyk, while Usyk, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have fought a legend like Fury.
Usyk’s victory cemented his status as the pound-for-pound champion of his generation in the heavyweight division, while Tyson Fury reaffirmed himself as the perfect contender in this division.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
