sportskeeda
OLEKSANDR USYK achieved another disputed victory over Tyson Fury, regaining his heavyweight title.
Following their split-decision clash seven months earlier, the judges now favored Usyk with a unanimous score of 116-112.
The Gypsy King stormed out of the ring in frustration, while his promoter Frank Warren seemed perplexed by the scorecards.
Here’s how SunSport’s Wally Downes viewed the fight…
Round 1
Rules were ignored as Fury made his entrance at 11:15 PM local time, showcasing a beard that could rival Brian Blessed’s.
While his facial hair looked wild, viewers were even more taken aback by his substantial belly when he was caught shirtless in the dressing room.
His red shorts were pulled so high that his bulging stomach was mostly concealed; if they were pulled an inch higher, the 20st giant could have tucked his nipples beneath them.
Fury attempted to intimidate Usyk in their final face-off, widening his eyes like a beast, but the champion remained calm and composed.
They exchanged jabs and probed with their lead hands. Usyk landed lefts to Fury’s protruding midsection and then scored a head shot to win the opening round. Usyk.
Round 2
Usyk started strong with a crisp one-two to the head, returning to body shots with lefts, one of which caused Fury to take a step back.
However, the Gypsy King answered back with a series of jabs, followed by a solid right hand that secured him the round.
No sign of the body shots and uppercuts that had earned him the middle rounds in their May encounter. Fury.
Round 3
Usyk registered three jabs to the body followed by a left hand upstairs.
Fury struggled with the pressure, managing only a cheeky hook and even attempted a southpaw stance.
But his threats to “skin and cook” Usyk ultimately proved ineffective. Usyk.
Round 4
Fury made a strong start with a chopping right hand.
However, Usyk nearly knocked his whiskers off with two effective left hands.
Fury retaliated with a significant right that pushed Usyk back.
Then, an uppercut broke through Usyk’s defenses. Draw.
Round 5
Fury swiftly took control with a solid right hand.
He was cautioned for throwing rabbit punches as he sought to overpower Usyk.
Usyk caught a lead left uppercut and faced some heavy body shots, forcing him to retreat. Fury.
Round 6
Fury found himself in jeopardy. His bulging body began to glisten, and Usyk kept targeting it with his powerful left.
Then, hunting for a knockout, Usyk struck Fury’s head.
The Morecambe giant appeared shaken, his head snapping back. He spent the remainder of the round on the defensive. Usyk.
Round 7
A quieter round featured a clean one-two from Fury and a lone left from Usyk. Draw.
Round 8
Usyk executed a one-two-hook combination, maintaining pressure and pace while Fury attempted to hide his considerable target.
An accidental head clash fortunately resulted in no cuts.
Fury made a feeble offensive effort, but Usyk simply smiled and shook his head. Usyk.
Round 9
Fury began to tire under his own weight, while Usyk capitalized, skillfully breaking him down.
Fury was too heavy to dance and evade, playing directly into Usyk’s plan. Usyk.
Round 10
Fury landed a rare uppercut and aimed for Usyk’s body. He temporarily controlled the center of the ring but took hits in return.
Fury attempted to hold and wear Usyk down but received a sharp left to the cheek as a consequence.
A powerful left from Usyk sent sweat flying off Fury’s head.
Fury then countered with an uppercut, but it was Usyk’s relentless pressure and strikes that earned him the round. Usyk.
Round 11
These rounds could prove to be pivotal. Usyk was significantly more active; Fury’s uppercut barely grazed Usyk’s defenses.
Fury walked into a series of light shots, followed by two substantial hits. The wind was clearly taken out of his enormous sails.
Usyk was relentless, constantly bouncing and landing punches, while Fury, weighed down at 20st, began to tire. Usyk.
Round 12
Fury started with urgency, aware he needed a strong performance, which played into Usyk’s hands for counters.
A combination of three straight punches landed perfectly for the Ukrainian star.
Fury continued to swing, struggling with shorts that kept slipping down due to the sweat Usyk had sapped from him.
As a discontented segment of the crowd booed and whistled, both fighters exchanged blows in the final ten seconds. Usyk.
SunSport’s scorecards: Usyk 118-112 Fury.
