Usyk Answered Fury’s Summer Claims
Oleksandr Usyk responded with humor when Tyson Fury described their first fight as too easy. In a Sky interview published on July 26, 2024, Usyk also credited Fury’s size, skill and boxing intelligence ahead of their December rematch.
Different views of the first fight
Usyk had won their May meeting by split decision, ending Fury’s unbeaten record and becoming undisputed heavyweight champion. Fury subsequently argued that he had enjoyed himself too much before Usyk’s late attack changed the contest.
During the London interview, Usyk dismissed the suggestion that another meeting would be straightforward. He expected a difficult fight because of Fury’s abilities and said he believed Fury understood the challenge too.
Usyk defended the referee’s intervention
The discussion also returned to Usyk’s ninth-round attack, which had forced a count in the first contest. Some observers believed a stoppage could have followed, but Usyk said the referee had done his job.
He expressed satisfaction with the victory rather than resentment over the missed possibility of a knockout. His comments combined confidence about the rematch with respect for the opponent who had pushed him through a demanding championship fight.
December produced another Usyk victory
The rematch took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 21, 2024. Usyk won by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the twelve-round contest 116–112.
He retained the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight championships. The unanimous verdict supplied the completed competitive outcome after the summer disagreement about how easy or difficult their first encounter had been.
Sources
- Sky Sports: July interview, Fury’s claims and referee discussion
- Matchroom Boxing: December rematch date and scorecards
- WBC: Riyadh venue and three heavyweight titles retained
