Few boxing events have stirred anticipation like this showdown. For the first time since 2000, the heavyweight scene promised a true champ to crown. The last to wear the crown was Lennox Lewis, a Briton who lost one belt 24 years prior after declining a rematch with John Ruiz.
Belts would circle a single champion once again, with Alexander Usyk holding them after a remarkable victory over Tyson Fury in a recent bout. While that specific match-up did not happen on the night, many elements shaped the path there—from the boxers’ financial demands to their meticulous preparations. In February, Fury endured a sparring setback that threatened the schedule, yet the event endured amid high stakes and high opinions.
In the end, the fight carried the weight of boxing’s rich legacy and the promise of a landmark clash among the sport’s legends.
Two unbeatens stepped into the ring, and the winner would claim all the available heavyweight belts. Neither fighter could be clearly favoured, making the contest feel wide open and intensely compelling.
Fury’s showmanship and Usyk’s precision
Fury began with his trademark theatrics, making faces and milking the crowd from the first bell. His antics persisted even after the opening flurry missed its mark. Usyk, unfazed, answered with stakes of his own, while Fury kept his distance and pressed the action, mixing movement with calculated aggression.
Early rounds suggested Fury had the momentum. He moved swiftly around the ring, trying to close the gap and test Usyk with a relentless tempo. A cut above Usyk’s right eye appeared, and Fury briefly shifted gears to target the body with precision in the sixth round, testing the Ukrainian’s resolve as well as his endurance.
Fury gained some momentum, but the shift in rhythm could not be sustained. He missed repeatedly in the ninth round and hit the canvas, a moment that changed the bout’s dynamic. Usyk seized the opportunity to push forward in the later rounds, aiming for a definitive ending, yet Fury’s resolve held. The judges would ultimately determine the winner.
The final score read 114-113, 113-114, 115-112 in favor of Usyk, delivered by a split decision that echoed the bout’s drama and closeness.
“I’m not thinking of boxing right now”
Fury tasted defeat for the first time in his professional career, triggering talk of a rematch across the boxing world. He expressed enthusiasm for another encounter, while Usyk, at the post-fight press conference, kept his plans deliberately reserved.
“I’m not planning on boxing right now. That means nine months of work as the camp starts in September 2023. I missed the new year, my son’s birthday, another son’s birthday, my daughter’s birthday, another daughter’s birthday, all the family holidays. All the time. I just trained, trained, trained, all my attention was on this fight,” Usyk stated.
The Briton countered that he had won the war and was content with how the fight unfolded. “We had a great match for the fans. I believe I won. I tried to finish him off, but the decision was left to the judges. The bout was very close, and I enjoyed the dance of it. Was the missed shot a mistake? I don’t know. I’m just glad,” Fury reflected.
“I think it was a great fight and I’m proud of myself,” he added.
“The Baddest Man on the Planet”
The bout sparked a swift reaction across boxing circles. Oscar de la Hoya, a former champion and promoter, congratulated Usyk, calling him the “bad guy” of the moment and praising his achievement. Pacquiao joined the chorus of respect, noting that a rematch would be welcome and that both fighters delivered a memorable contest.
“Congratulations to Alexander Usyk for becoming the first absolute heavyweight champion in 25 years. A great fight from both, and matches like this deserve a rematch,” Pacquiao said with confidence.
From the other side of the spectrum, Kamil Gadzhiev, a prominent figure in the Russian boxing world, offered a nuanced take. He acknowledged Usyk’s sporting merit while cautioning about the broader political angles that can accompany such statements. Yet, he affirmed Usyk’s standing in the ring as champion of the division, underlining the sport’s competitive legitimacy and appeal.
As fans and pundits weighed in, the consensus reflected a milestone moment in heavyweight history, one that left the sport eager for a subsequent clash and a renewed dialogue about the crown. The bout was celebrated for its intensity, skill, and the enduring drama of boxing’s best.