The world of heavyweight boxing doesn't usually give us second chances that actually matter. We’re used to the hype, the face-offs, and then a lopsided dud. But when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury stepped into the Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024, it wasn't just another payday. It was a reckoning.
If you followed the first fight in May 2024, you know the script. Fury clowned. He showboated. He did that thing where he leans on the ropes and looks like he’s having a pint at the pub while punches are flying at his head. And then, in the ninth round, the world tilted. Usyk, the smaller man, the "cruiserweight" as the doubters called him, turned the Gypsy King into a human pinball.
Fast forward to the Usyk vs Fury 2 rematch. People thought they knew what would happen. They thought Fury would come in heavier, use his 6-foot-9 frame to maul Usyk, and "bully" the Ukrainian.
They were wrong.
The Fight That Changed Everything
Honestly, the atmosphere in Riyadh for Usyk vs Fury 2 was different. It wasn't just the glitz of Riyadh Season. There was a weird, heavy tension. Usyk came in as the unified champion—though technically not "undisputed" anymore because he had to vacate the IBF belt to make this rematch happen. He chose legacy over a plastic strap.
The fight itself? Total chess match.
In the first half, Fury actually looked disciplined. No hands behind the back. No sticking his tongue out. He was fighting for his life, basically. He used the jab. He stayed tall. For a second there, around round six, it looked like the momentum was shifting back to the Brit.
But Usyk is a ghost. You can’t hit what isn't there, and you certainly can’t outwork a guy whose gas tank seems to be powered by pure spite and national pride.
By the time we hit the championship rounds, the story was written. Usyk didn't need a knockdown this time to prove a point. He just out-boxed the boxer. The final scorecards—115-113, 116-112, 117-111—all favored the Ukrainian. A unanimous decision that felt even more definitive than the split decision from their first encounter.
Why the Size Myth Died in Riyadh
We’ve heard it for years: "A good big man always beats a good little man."
Boxing fans love that cliché. It’s comfortable. It makes sense. But Oleksandr Usyk is the glitch in the matrix. In Usyk vs Fury 2, he proved that elite footwork and a 140-IQ ring brain can overcome a six-inch height disadvantage and a massive reach gap.
Compubox stats from the night are telling. Usyk landed more power punches. He was more accurate. While Fury was trying to find a rhythm, Usyk was already three steps ahead, pivoting out of corners before Fury could even reset his feet.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Fury is one of the most mobile giants we’ve ever seen, yet he looked stationary compared to Usyk.
The Undercard Chaos
Before the main event even started, the night was already weird.
- Moses Itauma absolutely shredded Demsey McKean in a single round. The kid is 19 and looks like he could fight for a world title tomorrow.
- Johnny Fisher (the "Romford Bull") barely scraped past David Allen in a fight that had the British fans losing their minds.
- Serhii Bohachuk handled Ishmael Davis, who was a late replacement for an ill Israil Madrimov.
These weren't just filler fights. They set a tone of high-stakes pressure that the main event eventually capped off.
What Happens Now?
Now we are in 2026, and the landscape is... messy.
Tyson Fury actually announced his retirement (again) in January 2025 after that second loss. He said he was done. He’d made his millions, he’d been the king, and he didn't have anything left to prove.
But, because he’s Tyson Fury, he’s already back in training in Thailand. His dad, John Fury, has joined the camp. There’s talk of a return in April against someone like Arslanbek Makhmudov or maybe even the long-awaited (and probably past its prime) clash with Anthony Joshua.
Usyk? He’s the undisputed king of this era, whether the IBF says so or not. He beat the man who beat the man. Twice.
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There’s a lot of talk about a trilogy, but does anyone really want to see it? Usyk has solved the puzzle. There are no more secrets.
If you’re looking for the "actionable" takeaway here, it’s this: stop betting against technical mastery in favor of physical size. The heavyweight division used to be about who could hit the hardest. Now, thanks to the Ukrainian, it’s about who can think the fastest.
Key stats to remember from the rematch:
- Usyk's Accuracy: He landed nearly 47% of his power punches. That’s absurd for a heavyweight fight against a guy as elusive as Fury.
- Fury's Jab: While he threw more, his connect rate dropped significantly in the second half of the fight.
- The Result: Unanimous decision for Usyk, retaining the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles.
If you’re watching the 2026 heavyweight landscape, keep an eye on the mandatory rankings for the WBO. With Usyk holding the gold and Fury attempting a "Spartan-style" comeback, the next six months are going to decide if we get one last dance or if the new generation—guys like Itauma—finally take over the throne.
The era of the "Big Four" is ending. Usyk is the last man standing.