Tag: Oleksandr Usyk

Despite Post-Fight Fallout, Oleksandr Usyk Celebrates Tyson Fury Win with Legendary Sword as Loot – A Symbol of Ukrainian Independence

Despite Post-Fight Fallout, Oleksandr Usyk Celebrates Tyson Fury Win with Legendary Sword as LootOleksandr Usyk marked his unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a…

Despite Post-Fight Fallout, Oleksandr Usyk Celebrates Tyson Fury Win with Legendary Sword as Loot

Oleksandr Usyk marked his unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a gesture bigger than the boxing ring. Standing in the spotlight, Usyk raised a 300-year-old saber belonging to Ivan Mazepa, a 17th-century Ukrainian leader who fought for Ukrainian independence. The legendary saber is steeped in history and cultural significance. This is a powerful symbol of national pride amid Ukraine’s ongoing resistance to Russian aggression.

Ivan Mazepa

The saber is merely one of only three surviving blades linked to Ivan Mazepa. It is a rare artifact normally housed at the Chernihiv Historical Museum in Ukraine. Through collaboration with Ukrainian cultural organizations and Usyk’s charitable foundation, the saber was transported to Saudi Arabia for this historic moment.

Speaking on Instagram, Usyk highlighted the symbolism:

“It was an honor for me to hold this unique artifact, over 300 years old. For centuries, Russia has tarnished the name of Hetman Mazepa. Now that name is returning to the global media sphere and will receive the recognition it deserves. This is just the beginning!“

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By brandishing the saber, Usyk evoked Mazepa’s legacy of resisting Russian domination in the early 18th century, aligning his boxing triumph with Ukraine’s centuries-old struggle for sovereignty. Additionally, the Ukrainian boxer defended his heavyweight titles and earned hundreds of millions of dollars.

oleksandr usyk sword Iavn Mazepa

Fallout from Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2

Tyson Fury was visibly upset by the judges’ unanimous 116-112 decision, and stormed out of the ring, skipping the post-fight interview. Later, Fury dismissed the outcome, calling it a “Christmas gift” for Oleksandr Usyk and insisting he had won. His promoter, Frank Warren, criticized the scoring. But, most pundits agreed the judging was entirely fair and justified.

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The celebration resonated deeply in Ukraine, where it was seen as a moment of defiance and national pride. In Russia, the gesture sparked controversy, with critics viewing it as a political provocation.

As Oleksandr Usyk celebrated his win, Daniel Dubois, the IBF champion, interrupted the moment to call for a unification bout. Usyk, now solidified as the unified heavyweight champion, faces a future with high-stakes matchups.

‘Didn’t He Rob Ngannou In Saudi?’ – Fans React After Footage Emerges Of Tyson Fury Blaming Location For Oleksandr Usyk Loss

Tyson Fury seems to be having a hard time coming to terms with being outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk in both of their meetings. “The Gypsy King” challenged Usyk for his WBC, WBO, and WBA heavyweight titles in their rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this past Saturday. However, despite his best efforts, […]

Tyson Fury seems to be having a hard time coming to terms with being outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk in both of their meetings.

“The Gypsy King” challenged Usyk for his WBC, WBO, and WBA heavyweight titles in their rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this past Saturday. However, despite his best efforts, Fury fell short in his attempt to avenge his previous defeat to the undefeated Ukrainian.

Although Fury had moments of success, he ultimately suffered a unanimous decision loss as “The Cat” showcased his exceptional footwork and perfectly timed punches, keeping the Englishman at a distance throughout most of the fight. Usyk’s dominance earned him a 116-112 score from all three judges.

Fury wasted no time leaving the ring after his defeat, bypassing a post-fight interview. And during the post-event press conference, he adamantly stated that he believed he had won the fight convincingly, insisting that the judges had erred in giving the victory to Usyk.

With “The Gypsy King” now facing back-to-back losses — the only two setbacks of his professional career — to Usyk within just seven months, he is claiming that the venue itself may have played a role in his setbacks.

A video capturing Fury returning backstage, visibly agitated after his defeat, has surfaced on social media. In the footage, the former WBC heavyweight champion is heard asserting that many believed he was narrowly outpacing “The Cat.” Fury goes on to suggest that the location itself may have had something to do with the outcome of the fight.

“[Got] robbed there, f**k ’em,” Fury said. “I swear to God I thought I won it by at least three rounds. I bossed the fight on the front foot all night and had that work put on him… I’ll tell you what it is, you’re not getting nothing in these countries.”

The combat sports world has responded with a variety of reactions to Fury’s insinuation that the fight taking place in Saudi Arabia played a role in his losses.

Numerous observers have implied that the 36-year-old Brit is exhibiting a sense of resentment, struggling to reconcile with the reality of his defeat in both bouts.

Fury suffered the first loss of his illustrious career when he faced Usyk in their initial showdown this past May. After a hard-fought battle, “The Cat” emerged victorious via split decision.

This triumph solidified Usyk’s legacy as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era, a distinction not seen since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999.

Tyson Fury: I’ll Believe I Beat Oleksandr Usyk ‘Until The Day I Die’

Former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury doesn’t look set to change stance on the result of his rematch against unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday. Fury was back in Saudi Arabia this week in pursuit of redemption against Usyk, who narrowly got the better of him in their blockbuster first clash this past May. On […]

Former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury doesn’t look set to change stance on the result of his rematch against unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.

Fury was back in Saudi Arabia this week in pursuit of redemption against Usyk, who narrowly got the better of him in their blockbuster first clash this past May.

On that occasion, “The Gypsy King” was frustrated to fall on the wrong side of a split decision verdict that saw “The Cat” crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champ sine Lennox Lewis was stripped of that status in 2000.

And despite all three scorecards going the way of the Ukrainian second time around — and in a much more convincing fashion — the Brit is once again calling robbery.

During his post-fight press conference after another 12 rounds in the ring with Usyk, Fury questioned the trio of 116-112 scorecards and stated that he believed his hand should have been raised.

“I was quite confident,” Fury said. “I thought I won that fight again. I think I’ve got ‘Larry Holmes’d’ here. I thought I’ve won both fights, but then again I’ve gone home with two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it. I can just fight my heart out and do the best I can.

“But again, I’ll always believe until the day I die I’ve won that fight,” Fury added.

It remains to be seen what will come next for “The Gypsy King,” who entered the year undefeated in professional boxing and will leave it on a two-fight skid.

While some pundits and former fighters have already backed the idea of retirement for Fury following an illustrious career, plenty were quick to pitch a long-awaited UK showdown with Anthony Joshua, who is also coming off a difficult setback.

Oleksandr Usyk Praises Tyson Fury as ‘Best Friend’ After Thrilling Rematch Victory

Oleksandr Usyk Praises Tyson Fury as 'Best Friend' After Thrilling Rematch VictoryOn December 21, 2024, Oleksandr Usyk retained his position as one of boxing’s all-time greats with a unanimous decision…

Oleksandr Usyk Praises Tyson Fury as 'Best Friend' After Thrilling Rematch Victory

On December 21, 2024, Oleksandr Usyk retained his position as one of boxing’s all-time greats with a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in a thrilling rematch held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Despite securing a second consecutive win against the towering Briton, Usyk spoke with deep respect for his opponent.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury Best Friends

Oleksandr Usyk said in the post-fight presser:

“He is my best friend. Tyson Fury makes me strong. Motivated me. But Tyson is a great opponent. Very respect Tyson Fury. 24 rounds. Now, it’s already history.”

The bout was a spectacle of skill and endurance, with Usyk successfully defending his WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC heavyweight titles. Judges scored the fight 116-112 across the board in Usyk’s favor, cementing his status as an undefeated champion (23-0).

@frankwarrenofficial

“Tyson Fury is my best friend!” ? #UsykFury2

? original sound – Frank Warren

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2

Tyson Fury entered the match weighing over 280 pounds. He then leveraged his size and reach to land powerful jabs and right hands. Usyk, meanwhile, relied on his southpaw stance and relentless body shots to wear Fury down. As the fight progressed, Usyk’s accuracy and conditioning became the decisive factors.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles’ fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Usyk landed 179 punches out of 423 thrown, outpacing Fury’s 144 of 509. His sharp left hand and ability to adapt allowed him to gain control of the bout. By the closing stages, Usyk was dictating the pace, frequently backing Fury into the ropes with well-timed combinations.

The fight’s conclusion was unforgettable, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows in the final moments. However, Usyk’s consistency and tactics carried him to victory.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles’ fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

For Tyson Fury, this marked his second straight loss to Usyk after an undefeated run spanning over a decade and 35 professional fights. Yet, both clashes between the two have been hailed as masterpieces of heavyweight boxing, with their intense rematch expected to be a contender for “Fight of the Year” honors.

While their rivalry in the ring is now history, the pair delivered two unforgettable battles that will be celebrated in the annals of boxing.

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‘Judges Weren’t Corrupt For Once?’ – Fighters & Fans React To Oleksandr Usyk’s Convincing Decision Win In Tyson Fury Rematch

The final major boxing fight of 2024 saw a lot of unity from fans, pundits, media, and fighters — it was a close, competitive fight but the right man won. Oleksandr Usyk edged out Tyson Fury in a unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight championships in the main event of a […]

The final major boxing fight of 2024 saw a lot of unity from fans, pundits, media, and fighters — it was a close, competitive fight but the right man won.

Oleksandr Usyk edged out Tyson Fury in a unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight championships in the main event of a Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 21.

Usyk worked his jab well in the opening frame, which proved to be a bit of a feeling-out process. The Ukrainian came out with a strong combination to start the second round, but Fury seemed to start to gain control, working his jab as the round went on.

“The Gypsy King” got on the front foot in the third round after a shot that Usyk thought was illegal but was not called such. The champ looked to land the big shots late in the round, which saw plenty of utilization of the jab by Fury. Usyk cracked the Brit with a couple of strong left hands during the fourth round, troubling Fury, who tried to use his reach and keep his opponent back. The former WBC titleholder fired back in the fifth, however, as he showed his physical prowess and landed strong, inside shots, especially to the body.

After a bit of a slower start to the sixth round, Usyk continued to land well on the inside. The seventh and eighth remained particularly quiet, though the Ukrainian remained in control, working over the challenger’s body.

And he appeared to open up a cut above one of Fury’s eyebrows late in the ninth frame, as he remained in control and forced “The Gypsy King” to need to answer quickly. Fury threw power from the get-go, looking to bully the champion with his own back to the scorecard wall seemingly. He appeared to gas out in the later portion, however, backing up to “The Cat’s” attacks.

Usyk landed a couple of strong left hands throughout the 11th, still backing Fury up. Both men emptied the tank in the 12th round, with the challenger landing some strong punches but the champ landing a rocking combinations in the closing seconds.

Oleksandr Usyk Retains Heavyweight Championships In Decision Win Over Tyson Fury

This was a rematch from their initial encounter in May, which saw Usyk edge out Fury in a split decision to win the WBC heavyweight title, becoming boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. This reign was not for long, however, as the IBF stripped him of the title not long after the win as a result of taking tonight’s rematch.

The IBF title was awarded to Daniel Dubois, who retained the championship with a knockout of Anthony Joshua in September.

Dubois was knocked out by Usyk in their August 2023 title fight. He called “The Cat” out following Saturday’s fight for a rematch of his own, which could realistically happen and give boxing another undisputed heavyweight champion, pending Dubois successfully defending the IBF title against Joseph Parker in February.

Oleksandr Usyk Goes Two-Up on Tyson Fury with Dominant Decision Victory: Usyk vs. Fury 2 Highlights

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury: Usyk vs. Fury 2 HighlightsOleksandr Usyk scored a second-straight win over ‘The Gypsy King‘ on Saturday night in Riyadh. Things got off to…

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury: Usyk vs. Fury 2 Highlights

Oleksandr Usyk scored a second-straight win over ‘The Gypsy King‘ on Saturday night in Riyadh.

Things got off to a quick start between the two as Usyk looked to target the body of Fury while ‘The Gypsy King’ attempted to get his jab going. It was Usyk’s feints and footwork that really stood out in the opening rounds as he continued to unleash his legendary left hand.

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Halfway through the fight, most analysts had the bout tied up or incredibly close, but it was the Ukrainian who would start to pull away in the later rounds, peppering Fury with combination after combination.

Fury started to turn it up in the fifth round, landing some solid shots to the body and letting his uppercut, but it wasn’t long before Usyk made the appropriate adjustments and climbed right back into the driver’s seat.

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Recognizing that he was likely down on the scorecards, Fury turned it up in the 12th and final round, looking for the one-hitter quitter. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be as Usyk’s seemingly limitless gas tank kept Fury on his back foot and rode out what he believed to be a certain victory.

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Official Result: Oleksandr Usyk def. Tyson Fury via unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 116-112)

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Check Out Highlights From Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: