Another Painful Defeat

Usyk stunned Fury by a punch in their May 2024 fight.

Before this match, there was a fight in May 2024, which is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxing matches of the 21st century. Fury dominated the early rounds, taking advantage of his height and reach. However, from the eighth round onward, Usyk proved his endurance and excellent strategy, turning the tide with a series of precise punches… and ultimately winning by decision. Usyk’s victory was a result of his agility and sound tactics, though he also showed some vulnerabilities, such as overreacting to Fury’s feints and getting caught in wrong positions. On the other hand, while Fury’s feints and powerful hooks, especially leveraging his height and reach, were formidable, his defensive mistakes led to his failure.

12-Minute Stare-Off Before the Rematch

On the morning of December 22nd (Hanoi time), Fury—known as “The Gypsy King” and famous for his sharp tongue—chose to remain silent in front of Usyk, briefly stating that he would “make Usyk hurt.” In response, Usyk kept a calm attitude, showing no signs of yielding. The two stared at each other for a full 12 minutes. This “historic stare” only ended when WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and security intervened. Both fighters understood that whoever won this classic battle for the heavyweight crown would solidify their position as the top boxer of the moment. Therefore, even during the “stare-off,” neither was willing to lose.

Fury’s Aggressive Start in Round 1

In the opening round, Fury came out aggressively, landing continuous jabs that caught Usyk off guard. However, Usyk, with his trademark agility, calmly evaded Fury’s punches, and Fury could only land a few weak body shots. In Round 2, Usyk began to fight back, throwing left-handed punches aimed at Fury’s body. In Round 3, Usyk stuck to his strategy, using his speed to create attacking opportunities, but Fury adapted by switching to left hooks. The pace of the fight quickened in Rounds 4 and 5, and Usyk managed to make Fury wobble for the first time. Usyk continued to land a barrage of punches on Fury, forcing the Briton to feel genuine pressure from Usyk’s speed and power.

Usyk’s Dominance from Round 4

The fighters slowed the pace in Round 6, but Usyk took control in Round 7 with a left hand that rocked Fury. In the following rounds, both fighters exchanged punches, but it became clear that Usyk had the upper hand in every aspect. Fury knew his only path to victory was by knockout, so he focused on attacking without much defense. However, Usyk’s impressive ability to take punches, combined with his ability to counterattack immediately after each of Fury’s strikes, prevented Fury from achieving his goal.

A “Kiss” from “The Gypsy King” to Usyk After the Fight

Oleksandr Usyk continues to hold the title of undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The fight ended after 12 rounds, with all three judges scoring 116-112 in favor of the Ukrainian. Oleksandr Usyk remained undefeated and continued as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. The fight concluded in a perfect moment when Tyson Fury, “The Gypsy King,” gave his opponent Usyk a rare sign of respect by kissing him, despite suffering a second painful defeat to the same opponent.