The year’s final boxing event was one of the biggest, as the unified heavyweight title was on the line in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) gave us another intense heavyweight battle, but this time, Usyk won decisively and sparked top ten all-time great heavyweight conversations. The only thing that can ruin a perfect night like the one Usyk had in Riyadh was Daniel Dubois interrupting his post-fight in-ring interview.
The Fight Was Close But Fury Ran Out Of Gas Late
Although Usyk was great on Saturday night, Fury was a lot to handle for the first seven rounds. Both men came out in the first round working much more than they probably both anticipated. Fury was on the front foot, leading with his left jab and following it with a straight right hand that buzzed Usyk several times. Usyk would come right back, but instead of head-hunting for a few rounds, he dedicated his attack to Fury’s body, which would pay dividends later in the fight. There were moments during those first seven rounds where Usyk would crouch down and launch that overhand left, which landed cleanly on Fury and rocked him every time it did.
24 rounds shared between two warriors 🤝#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/lCKPbEGxdL
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 22, 2024
At the start of the eighth round, the majority of the ringside analysts & FightsATW had it four rounds to three for Usyk. Again, it was a close fight, but that eighth round is when Usyk’s footwork, angles, and speed became too much for Fury. You could see Fury taking exaggerated deep breaths and there was an increase in holding as “The Gypsy King” was beginning to fade. The former WBC champion would dig deep and take back control of the fight in round ten, but the 11th and 12th belonged to Usyk, who wanted to ensure there was no question about who had won the fight.
When the final bell rang, both men raised their arms to show the crowd they felt they won. The scorecards were read, and surprisingly, all three judges had identical scores of 116-112, which was the correct score for the fight. Fury was visibly upset and walked out of the ring as Usyk celebrated the victory with his team before getting interviewed.
Although it was a close fight, Usyk was able to take it to another level when he needed to, which is what the greats do. For Fury, he was unable to do that, and many question whether the knockdowns he’s taken in the last few years have shed years off his boxing career. Usyk did something that no one in the current era could do, and that’s beat Fury twice. No one can say that, and if Fury fights only one more time (maybe against Anthony Joshua) and calls it a career, then no one else will.
Daniel Dubois’ Interruption Was Badly Timed & Unnecessary
After Usyk earned the unanimous decision over Fury on Saturday night, he was interviewed in the ring and took it all in as he just beat Fury for the second time. Usyk was visibly overwhelmed with emotions, and he began to get into his sons earning a martial arts belt and telling their father it’s his turn. It was a nice but short-lived moment, as it was rudely interrupted by IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
It quickly reminded me of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift after she won the Best Female Video award at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. West was way out of line, and although he felt passionate about his friend Beyonce not being given that award, Swift was embarrassed and at a loss for words shortly after.
Usyk vs. Dubois NEXT⁉️#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/shVblX0tiS
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024
Usyk didn’t appear to be embarrassed or lost for words, but he was pissed off that Dubois would do that. The interruption was badly timed and simply unnecessary. The Dubois stunt would have been more acceptable if he hadn’t already had a fight lined up for February 22 against Joseph Parker. Dubois telling Usyk he wants him next made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Dubois may not even beat Parker come February so his entire focus should be on that fight and nothing else. Let’s hope Dubois doesn’t have another one of these cringy moments in the future.
Final Thoughts
There were a ton of opinions on social media that still want to downplay what Usyk did last night and his overall career. The man beat Fury twice, beat Anthony Joshua twice, and was the undisputed heavyweight champion. He is absolutely in the top ten all-time great heavyweight conversation. Usyk has nothing else to prove, and in five years or so, he’ll be enshrined in the halls of Canastota.
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