Oleksandr Usyk scored a second straight decision victory over Tyson Fury (Image: Getty)
emerged from his latest clash with T without the need for a hospital trip, which is allegedly in stark contrast to his experience following their first bout in May. The 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer secured a second win over the ‘Gypsy King’ on Saturday (December 21) in , clinching a unanimous decision victory to retain his undisputed heavyweight titles.
Sporting significantly fewer battle scars than after his initial triumph over Fury in May, Usyk displayed only minor bruising under his eyes this time around. The judges were in agreement during the rematch, with all three scoring the fight unanimously 116-112 in favour of Usyk, who seemed to absorb less damage throughout the contest.
Despite Fury’s claim that Usyk had been hospitalised with a suspected broken jaw after their first encounter, the reigning champion denied such suggestions, admitting that he only had pain in the area rather than suffering from any broken bones.
However, he did concede the physical toll of their intense first showdown, stating: “Yes, I have a little bit of a problem but I have problems with my fist, my back, my whole body because it’s a hard fight, 47 minutes.”
Despite Fury’s exhaustive preparations, which included a three-month period where he said he didn’t talk to his wife Paris, he ultimately fell short against Usyk again. And the outcome leaves fans and pundits questioning whether this defeat will push the Gypsy King towards hanging up his gloves for good, reports .
Usyk was sporting bruises under both his eyes after his second consecutive win over Fury (Image: Getty Images)
Fury, 36, couldn’t hide his irritation after suffering a second loss in a row to the boxer from Kiev, slamming the unanimous decision as a “Christmas gift” from the judges. “I feel like I won both fights,” he declared.
“I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight. Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two.”
The Ukrainian reportedly suffered a broken jaw in his first victory over the Brit (Image: Getty Images)
Echoing Fury’s frustration, promoter Frank Warren expressed his bewilderment at the judge’s scorecards. “I’m dumbfounded at how they [judges] scored it,” stated the Queensbury Promotions boss.
“His jabbing was superb, his footwork was superb, he wasn’t slow. He was very evasive.” In the aftermath, IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois entered the ring shortly after Usyk’s victory and challenged him to a rematch following his own defeat to the Ukrainian by knockout last year.