Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2 summary online, round by round, stats and highlights
Oleksandr Usyk confirmed as greatest fighter in the world
All hail the king, Oleksandr Usyk is unstoppable
This fight started with so much promise and boy did it deliver! There are the fans of each fighter who will perhaps be a little blinded by their devotion but for the boxing enthusiast who watches coldly there can be no doubt that Usyk is not only the better fighter on the night but is perhaps the best fighter that we have seen in a generation.
Gold at the Olympics, undisputed at Cruiserweight, undisputed at Heavyweight and then despite having one of those belts taken off him in a sort of hissy fit he returns and calmly repeats his win over the former champion Tyson Fury. Only this time, more emphatically.
Both fighters came out in their first meeting with perhaps the wrong plan and both of them addressed that in this second meeting. Fury opted to use his size while Usyk decided, bizarrely on the face of it, to try and attack Fury rather than staying away from the larger man. It would seem on the surface to be an insane plan and yet, somehow, it worked.
Fury was pushed under the back foot and forced into a situation where he had to run either away from or towards Usyk all night. And more importantly by staying on the offensive, every time Fury came within range he was made to pay a heavy price.
A lot of the rounds were very close but throughout the fight, Usyk was doing enough to just win each round. One by one they stacked up.
Only once did Fury have Usyk in any sort of trouble but despite his size difference - or perhaps because of it - he was unable to press his advantage and make that into a truly desperate situation for the Ukrainian.
On the other side of the coin, Usyk had Fury wobbled several times. His left hand was venomous and accurate. And that extra weight of Fury? As he marched forward and came on to that left it just added more sting to the Ukranian's punch.
With this win Oleksandr Usyk becomes without doubt the pound for pound king of boxing. No one has ever done what he's done. No one in boxing today is capable of doing what he is currently doing.
When Usyk first started this journey people wondered is he big enough to fight at heavyweight. Not only is he big enough, but he's better than them all.
Once, Tyson Fury, at the height of his prowess, said to the press, “Line them up and I'll knock them out.” Well, it looks as if Usyk has taken that message to heart.
But perhaps the greatest quote on the subject comes from Usyk himself. When asked after the fight if he agreed with the judges’ scores, Usyk simply responded with a shrug, saying, “I win. That is all.”
GOODBYE!!!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!
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The decision
"I can see how you might think that Fury won some of those close rounds, but if you know boxing, if you know what you are looking at, that was an 8-4 fight."
- Sergio Mora
AND STILL: Oleksandr Usyk wins by UD
The judges at ringside saw it as:
116-112 across the board for Oleksandr Usyk who is still undefeated and still the heavyweight champion of the world. He is not undisputed only because the IBF stripped their belt off him, but let's be real: Usyk is the best out there. Undisputedly.
That's going to come down to the scorecards and both fighters slumped to the ground and throw their hands in the air. They both look confident but on my scorecard I have Usyk winning by two rounds.
Of course the only opinion that matters is that of the three judges at ringside. Just to confirm there is also an AI judge but it is not official and its decision will not be made known until after the fight.
Usyk-Fury Round 12
As we come into the 12th and final round I think Fury needs a knockout to win here. And it looks as if Fury may know that because he comes out and lands a thunderous right uppercut to the ribs. That was an absolute liver shaker!
Usyk comes back with his own shots landing both the right and the left on Fury's chin, snapping his head back.
Fury grabs on and leans onto Usyk. As they are broken by the referee the Gypsy King comes back with a straight one two that catches Usyk flush.
They are standing in the middle of the ring and trading and the crowd is eating it up! Every shot eliciting thunderous applause!
Fury still looking for that one big punch but Usyk is sticking venomous left hands onto him every time he comes in.
Usyk-Fury Round 11
In these final two rounds I've got this on my card Usyk up six rounds to four. Fury has done arguably better in this fight than he did in the first, but unfortunately for him so has Usyk.
Fury is sticking that jab and trying to grab on trying to impose his size but Usyk has become more slippery as the fight goes on. He is able to slip down and under and come back with that left hand. To my eye Usyk is in control of this.
He's still lightning fast and lands a three-punch combo with a left cross that really shakes Fury to his boots.
Fury leans back on the ropes and takes another left hand. This looks very comfortable for the Ukrainian.
Usyk-Fury Round 10
A nice right uppercut from Fury lands and Usyk is in trouble. He backpedals, tempting the larger Fury to chase him.
The two trade in the middle of the ring and a beautiful left hook in Fury stuns Usyk. Before he can recover Fury grabs onto him and leans onto him, hulking that massive bulk onto the smaller man.
Usyk wiggles and gets his left hand free throw a cross that lands flush on Fury's chin.
Fury misses with an uppercut and Usyk comes back with the one-two. That's the name of the game: make him miss make him pay!
Usyk-Fury Round 9
Fury is now letting his hands go a little bit more freely swatting from unusual angles. It's just as well because Usyk is coming in and doing a lot of damage with those shots to the body.
Fury is now a little more mobile, bouncing in and out and working on Usyk. Fury holds on and leans on the Ukrainian. It slows Usyk’s feet creating a more stationary target for Fury.
A backhand jab from Fury catches Usyk and again he paws at his nose. The Ukrainian comes back with a straight left that finds Fury's face with no resistance.
Usyk-Fury Round 8
Fury is doing a little bit better job of using that jab, feinting with it and then coming back from a slightly different angle.
Usyk is coming in and trying to keep fury on the move, and as Tyson Fury tries to hold on and lean on Usyk, the Ukrainian is still finding a way to get in and land that left. He's doing such a great job of neutralizing that size advantage that Fury has.
Fury has really slowed down, and Usyk now looks as if he is fully in control.
Usyk-Fury Round 7
As we just go past the halfway point, I have this scored three rounds each. This fight is as even as it gets!
The big question is as the fight goes into the second half is will that extra weight on Tyson Fury work for him or against him?
Oleksandr Usyk is staying mobile, keeping his feet moving and seems to be picking shots very well.
Fury has slowed down but now there seems to be some sort of issue with Usyk. He keeps rubbing his nose. Is he having trouble breathing? It was bleeding a few rounds ago so perhaps.
As the round winds down, Usyk slips to his right and lands a very nice shot pushing Fury around to take a southpaw stance. He took a big gulp for air with that one.
Usyk-Fury Round 6
They come out moving at the halfway point and it seems like Usyk has gone back to his idea of moving around trying to wear Fury down. He's getting in very well but on the way out he's getting caught. Fury seems to have timed his exit and that's something that Usyk will have to address.
Usyk lands a huge left and Fury stumbles! He recovers quickly but that was a massive hand! Fury tries to get back in and grab hold to lean on Usyk, leaving himself open for another left hand and the Ukrainian obliges!
Usyk-Fury Round 5
The round gets going with a heavy right hand from Fury and now he starts to use his size, leaning on Usyk holding him trying to wear him out.
Fury lands a huge left hand that buckles Usyk’s knees! He recovered immediately but my word that really shook his peaches!
Usyk is a little bit slower now not moving around the ring so quickly and Fury is able to find him quite easily with that big right hand. Usyk is in all sorts of trouble here!
A big swatting left tumbles Usyk backwards. Now Fury goes right to the body and Usyk smiles at him, acknowledging that that was a great shot!
Usyk-Fury Round 4
Back into the fourth round now and Usyk takes the center of the ring where Fury lands a very nice right uppercut to the ribs. Usyk dips down and lands a six-shot combo to Fury's ribs.
After probing for four rounds Usyk finally finds that big left hand and fury is shaken! He backs onto the ropes and Usyk lands another one!
Fury is not wobbled in any way, certainly nothing like the ninth round in the first fight. But at least now he knows that he's in a scrap!
Fury composes himself and sticks a stiff jab on to Usyk’s chin.
Usyk-Fury Round 3
There are flashes of that same Fury that beat Klitschko the one who was so quick moving in moving out getting away from trouble sniping and taking his shots. He's a lot bigger than he was then and a bit slower, but you can see that he's still as sharp as a tack.
Usyk is a little bit more aggressive bouncing in and out of range rather than staying away from fury and waiting for his moment. He's landing good shots, but he is just looking for that big left hand.
They both go to work on each other's body and perhaps Usyk is having the best of that between the two of them. But for his trouble he eats a right hand and blood pours from his nose.
Usyk-Fury Round 2
Fury comes out and stakes out the center of the ring and while Usyk is moving well trying to get in and out and create a moving target for Fury, the truth is that Fury looks to still be sharp.
Usyk is feinting well, stepping in and out, pawing that right hand out.
One thing that is different from the first fight is that Usyk is fighting more aggressively. He's not moving and trying to get away from the shots but rather moving and trying to find an opening to get his own shots off.
Usyk-Fury Round 1
We're off and they both come out fists flying. Fury looks like a man possessed!
Fury is almost twice the size of Usyk by the look of him. It looks as if his plan is to use his size and to try to get on top of Usyk, but Usyk goes in quite quick, looking to use his feet to gain the advantage.
They've both started quicker than they are accustomed to, and while they've both landed nice shots in the first round, it looks as if perhaps Fury is still controlling things.
Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) vs. Tyson Fury (34-1-1) [WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles]
Now it is time for the main event. Oleksandr Usyk has been the most dominant fighter in the sport over the past decade, wiping up the Cruiserweight division before moving to heavyweight. Many said he was too small to share a ring with the biggest boys in the game.
Tyson Fury is the biggest of the big boys. He has fought them all and made them all look foolish. He climbed off the canvas to beat Deontay Wilder and put on a masterclass to outbox Wladimir Klitschko. But when Usyk held all of the heavyweight titles, it was inevitable that they face off.
Usyk put on another intense performance as he narrowly beat Fury to become the first and only undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
It had to be run back, and today we get to see if Usyk is really that good or if Fury just had an off night. Now it is either REPEAT or REVENGE.
Moses Itauma wins by TKO
This is incredible! Moses Itauma is only 19 and stands a chance to beat Mike Tyson's record for the youngest heavyweight champion ever should he get his shot soon.
And you know what? He could well do it. That is insane!
Itauma-McKean Round 1
Both men fight from the southpaw stance and McKean particularly with his upright positioning seems to be standing taller than Itauma.
Rumored to be flashes of Mike Tyson Itauma comes out hard and lands a huge left hand that drops the Australian within the first minute! He gets back to his feet and beats the count but Itauma comes back in with another huge left hand that just shakes McKean to his boots. He is down and he is not getting back up! My word that was very fast work from the young Englishman!
Another knockout within 90 seconds!
Moses Itauma (10-0) vs. Demsey McKean (22-1) [Heavyweight]
Now we have a British vs Australian battle for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title as Moses Itauma and Demsey McKean square off in a ten round contest.
Serhii Bohachuk wins by RTD
The corner retires Ishmael Davis on the stool. That is a good decision.
He took the fight on only two weeks' notice and was taking a beating.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 6
Bohachuk is really on top of the game and just picking away at Davis, but the Englishman is not entirely out of it. He's being overpowered and swarmed, but still trying to pick and look for shots.
As the round enters its final minute a hard right hand catches Davis flush and he has to hang on to get his way back in. All in all a clean, clinical round for the Ukrainian.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 5
The fight slows on both sides as they both trade good shots, both mainly work in the body. The heavier shots seemed to be from the Ukrainian, but the fact that Davis is still in the fight is almost miraculous considering the punishment that he took just two rounds ago.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 4
Another short right hand from the Ukrainian catches Davis on the way in.
Davis was breathing heavily and really taking a lot of punishment although he manages to slip in a stiff left that lands flush on the chin of the Ukrainian. He's not a power puncher, but Davis is certainly accurate with his shots.
A big right hand from Davis catches Bohachuk right before the bell.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 3
They come out in the third round slugging both fighters really throw in both hands hard. Davis can't afford to wait and Bohachuk wants to press his advantage.
They stand toe to toe and trade short hands, little hooks, but all of them stiff.
The tide is completely turned now and Davis is really hanging on for dear life. The Ukrainian it's just backing him onto the ropes and unloading to that body. As the round ends Davis comes away with a cut on his eye.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 2
Davis is working quickly again trying to get a fast start and Bohachuk is doing his best to keep up, but at the moment he seems to be on the back foot.
It's still only early days and 12 rounds is a long way to go.
Bohachuk catches Davis with a short right hand and as Davis goes for broke towards the end of the second round a left hook puts him flat on his back!
Is in real trouble here! He manages to get his feet back under him and struggle his way towards the bell but that may signal the end which must be nigh.
Bohachuk-Davis Round 1
Davis comes out quickly perhaps knowing that he needs to do damage quickly to the Ukrainian if he stands any chance in this bout. It's not like he was sitting around doing nothing. After all Davis was meant to fight very shortly anyway. But taking a fight on two weeks’ notice as a title eliminator is always going to be tricky.
Davis lands are heavy right hand that forces the Ukrainian to cover. This is a very nice start for the Englishman.
Serhii Bohachuk (24-2) vs. Ishmael Davis (13-1) [Light middleweight]
Now a super middleweight contest as Ukraine's Serhii Bohachuk takes on England's Ishmael Davis in a twelve round title eliminator. Davis took the fight on short notice after Madrimov pulled out with just two weeks' training camp.
Congratulations to Johnny Fisher, and he is the new WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion. That is one of the minor belts, but it is just a little more tarnished now by the way that was obtained. No disrespect to Fisher, he is not to blame for the judges decision, but it stains him none the less.
I don't like to use the word "robbery" because so much in boxing is so subjective. You often see what you want. But in this case, I don't know what else to call it. That was a robbery. David Allen had his pocket picked in front of the world.
AND THE NEW: Johnny Fisher wins by SD
The judges at ringside saw it as:
95-94 Johnny Fisher
96-93 Dave Allen
95-94 Johnny Fisher
in a stunning decision for Johnny Fisher. That is an insane decision! How can you have a 10-8 round in a fight like that and come out on the losing side?
As insane as it may sound, that fight could actually go either way. Fisher clearly won the early rounds while Allen won the later rounds. That knockdown is almost certainly going to be the key and it will be seen as a pocket picked if Dave Allen doesn't come away with the title.
But the only opinion that matters is that of the judges at ringside.
Fisher-Allen Round 10
The final round and they come out and hug. These men believe it or not are actually great friends. They have touched gloves before and after every single round tonight.
They both come out trying to bully their way around the ring, which to be fair is their style. One is a bull, the other’s a rhino.
Right hands and uppercuts come from both men. No speed, no bunches, but all power.
Both of these men are completely spent. They both want to finish strong and so they just swing. Neither has the energy to avoid being hit and so they're both taking enormous punishment.
The fight ends and they embrace.
Fisher-Allen Round 9
Johnny Fisher comes out trying to stay mobile, move around the ring, but he swatted back into place by Dave Allen with hooks from left and right. A nice solid one catches Fisher's chin, and it slows into a battle of attrition again.
The level of punishment taken by both of these fighters is worthy of applause in itself. Both men have thrown with all of their might everything in their arsenal at the other one. And all of it to no avail. If you've never done it that is exhausting. To have done it for 30 minutes is worthy of applause.
Fisher-Allen Round 8
These guys are landing punches that should in the fight. Each and every punch is strong enough to knock out just about anybody. There's no beauty in this fight. There's no technique. This is just a good old-fashioned thumping.
Dave Allen lands a clubbing right hand and Fisher just absorbs it.
Those early rounds saw Fisher go for broke and it seems as if the gamble by Dave Allen may have paid off. Fisher is exhausted and now he is having to absorb real punishment.
The trade left hooks and as the round ends they are leaning on each other heavily.
Fisher-Allen Round 7
A big right hand lands on Fisher's ear and he's wobbled yet again! He recovers quickly but he's using that left to size up Allen drawing a complaint to the referee.
Dave Allen comes back around with that round house overhand right and Fischer is in real trouble again. A left hook lands clean and now Fisher really needs to hold on.
They are both fatigued and leaning on each other and as Fisher comes back with heavy shots it's now Allen's turn to hold on.
Fisher-Allen Round 6
They both come out looking as if they really feel as if they can sense the end. They are both throwing huge shots, caution to the wind!
Fisher lands right hand after right hand after right hand and Dave Allen responds with a big round house right of his own.
They are both exhausted but neither man is backing away, neither one wants to get back behind the jab and start moving try to catch their breath.
Allen lands a left hook that wobbles Fisher but he comes right back. Another right hand from Fisher draws a big sweeping overhand right from Allen.
Fisher-Allen Round 5
They come out trading and Dave Allen lands a big hurtful right hand followed by a huge left hook to the ear of Johnny Fisher and he goes down! He's in real trouble and he's exhausted here. Dave Allen goes in to try to get the finish and he leans on Fisher and shoves him to the floor.
The referee recognizes it for what it is: a push. No count.
The fight gets underway again and Fisher is still in real trouble here. His legs are absolutely gone and Dave Allen smells blood in the water.
As Alan comes in for the kill, Fisher lands a right hook that stumbles Allen!
Both of these men are leaning on each other, heavy and exhausted. Right on the end of the round Fisher lands a thundering right uppercut.
Fisher-Allen Round 4
Fisher is trying to line Allen up but in doing so he takes another chopping right hand to the ear. Both of these fighters are quite heavy-handed and these shots even though they're single are really hurtful.
Fisher is throwing back very hard, spiteful shots. But it looks as if Allen’s plan is to try and absorb this in the early rounds and see if Fisher gasses out.
It's not a terrible plan given that Fisher has only ever gone the distance once in his career, but the punishment being absorbed by Dave Allen is incredible.
He needs to be careful that he doesn't take too much.
Fisher-Allen Round 3
Fisher is unloading really throwing hard right hands interspersed with that left hook to the body. Allen is absorbing it, but for how long?
A big chopping right hand from Dave Allen gets Fisher's attention. Fisher slows down with that giving Allen a chance to get back into the round. OK
Fisher-Allen Round 2
Fisher taps away landing little shots in bunches. Dave Allen is still complaining about low shots, but there doesn't seem to be any intent from Fisher.
Fisher sets up Allen and lands a big heavy right hand that clearly shakes him. He recovers quickly but Fisher comes back in with another big right hand. A quick left hook to the body doubles Allen over and he's taking some punishment here.
Fisher is unloading and towards the end of the round he looks to be perhaps blowing a little bit.
Fisher-Allen Round 1
Expect this fight to go at lightning pace. These two men have sparred together and they respect each other outside of the ring, but Fisher is not called “The Romford Bull” for nothing. He charges straightforward and never backs down. 11 of his twelve wins have been by knockout.
Fisher goes in with a one-two, with the left upper cut coming in low below the belt. In a strange lapse of concentration, Allen puts his hands down and looks towards the referee. With that sniff of an opening Fisher jumps on him and lands three more heavy shots. You don't give Fisher an opening like that!
Johnny Fisher (12-0) vs. Dave Allen (23-6-2) [Heavyweight]
What is probably the best fight on the undercard sees "The Romford Bull" Johnny Fisher take on "The White Rhino" Dave Allen in what promises to be an outstanding heavyweight bout. They will be contesting the vacant WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title.
If you are a fight fan, you will be excited about this one!
AND THE NEW: Lee McGregor wins by UD
The judges saw it as:
96-92, 97-91, 97-91
as Lee McGregor takes home the WBC International Featherweight title.
Lowe-McGregor Round 10
Lowe really needs a knockout here and it looks as if he knows it. He comes out and jumps on McGregor immediately. These thumping shots are really harming McGregor.
The mouthpiece comes out of Lowe's mouth again and ohh my word! The referee deducts yet another point. He's busy shooting his own foot!
Lowe jumps back onto McGregor and knocks him to the ground, but the referee rules it a slip.
Lowe's mouthpiece comes out yet again! The referee seems to be finished with the idea and he simply tells the fighters to fight on. He won't stop the bout to allow Lowe to put his mouthpiece back in anymore.
The fight goes to the final bell and this was an amazing fight that turned into an ugly scrap and in the end finishes in absolute ignominy.
Lowe-McGregor Round 9
Perhaps sensing that he is behind on the cards Isaac Lowe comes out quickly, showing aggression, but no matter what he does he's still finding it hard to walk McGregor down.
He finally manages to get the Scot onto the ropes, landing several good hard shots to the body and McGregor is in trouble. He grabs on to Lowe's gloves and suddenly he looks tired.
McGregor is all out of sorts stumbling around the ring and Lowe is absolutely damaging his opponent with these hard body shots.
Lowe's mouthpiece comes out again and this time the referee deducts a point. That could be a game changer! He really needed two solid rounds here to stake his claim to this fight, and he was doing really well, with McGregor in terrible trouble but this is absolutely a bonehead move!
As the round ends Lowe is furious kicking his stool, wasting energy. That mouthpiece may have just lost him the fight.
Lowe-McGregor Round 8
Lowe is trying to bring the pressure towards McGregor but he's finding it hard to hit any target. Every time he throws his shots he comes up empty. McGregor is just that fast.
On the other side the Scot is having a wonderful night showing astounding speed and defence while counterpunching off the back foot.
Lowe-McGregor Round 7
McGregor paws out that left hand, sticking it in Lowe's face. He looks to be a little bit more tidy then Lowe, sticking and moving.
Time is called by the referee as both fighters lose their mouthpieces and when the action starts again Lowe lands are very nice left hook. McGregor is now showing some cracks in this perfect counter punching fight that he's been on. There's now a lot of smack being talked between the two fighters.
Lowe-McGregor Round 6
Lowe is having better success timing McGregor, landing a right hand and a Peach of a left hook. McGregor is trying to stay mobile, keep his feet moving and force his man to chase him around the ring.
There is blood now coming from Lowe's eyes, as he's cut on both eyes now. McGregor is throwing hard winging shots and Lowe is getting caught with a lot of them as he marches forward to get his right hand in there.
This is turned into a real battle somewhat to the detriment of tactics from both men.
Lowe-McGregor Round 5
McGregor comes out with a spring in his step and manages to induce Lowe to walk on to some of his right hands. In his aggression he leads with his head, drawing a rebuke from the referee who says that if it happens again he will deduct a point.
This seems to give Lowe a gee-up and he comes forward landing a hard right hook. But McGregor looks sharper in this round.
Lowe-McGregor Round 4
The pace slows in this round and Lowe takes advantage of a lull in concentration by his opponent, landing a hard right hand downward, right to the solar plexus. That shook McGregor.
This becomes a war of attrition as MacGregor pushes in close holding on and pounding away at the body. Lowe loses his mouthpiece at one point and sustains a cut on his eye.
Lowe-McGregor Round 3
McGregor is working nicely off the back foot, counter punching, being perhaps the boxer rather than the puncher. And that seems to be the thing that has Isaac Lowe off balance. Everyone expected him to be the boxer but it looks to be the other way around.
Lowe is stumbling forward trying to land something but having very little success as McGregor avoids each shot and makes him pay for his hubris.
As McGregor tries to step onto the front foot, Lowe lands are really thumping right hook.
Lowe-McGregor Round 2
If this fight continues the way it's going I can't see it going a full 10 rounds. Both of these men are standing toe to toe in the middle of the ring and just trading heavy, hard shots.
They've both gone all in on this fight.
Lowe continues to work the body of MacGregor. McGregor lands a great one-two, with a big overhand right chopping into Lowe's ear. McGregor dips down, bending his knees and opening up with a three punch combo to the midriff. Lowe looks completely out of sorts here.
Lowe-McGregor Round 1
Both fighters come out working from the orthodox stance Lowe work in the body early as McGregor responds with some great head-hunting left hooks.
About a minute in a huge right and from Lowe really gives McGregor something to think about, making him wince. He clearly didn't like that.
Both of these fighters are throwing with really bad intent spiteful. That left hand from McGregor is a real bone shaker!
Isaac Lowe (25-2-3) vs. Lee McGregor (14-1-1) [Featherweight]
Now we move to the main card and it is an England vs Scotland affair as Isaac Lowe and Lee McGregor scrap for the vacant WBC International Featherweight title. This is a ten-round contest.
Preliminary results
Mohammed Alakel (1-0) vs. Joshua Ocampo Soto (8-33-5) [Super Featherweight]
The local Saudi fighter Alakel moves up to six rounds in only his second professional bout. Facing Colombian journeyman Ocampo, Alakel looks like a promising young fighter out of London’s Gallagher Gym and worked his way through the gears and dropped Ocampo in the second with a beautiful right hand. He didn’t get greedy though and showed poise as he stayed on the front foot, sticking hard shots on a durable Ocampo through six rounds to get the clean sweep decision.
Andrii Novytskyi (13-0) vs Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1) [Heavyweight]
Undefeated Ukranian Novytskyi took on Mexico’s Ramirez in a ten round bout for Novytskyi’s WBC International Heavyweight belt. In a tepid performance that saw the champ sleepwalk through the rounds, Ramirez won the quieter rounds despite being the lesser talent in the ring. In the end, the judges thought that Novytskyi had done enough to see off the challenge, scoring it a far too wide 100-90, 100-90, 98-92, but he will need to up his work rate - and his engine - if he is to move on into the top tier of the heavyweight division.
Daniel Lapin (10-0) vs Dylan Colin (14-0) [Light-heavyweight]
Ukraine’s Lapin faced France’s Colin for the vacant IBF European Light Heavyweight title and the power and speed of the Ukranian kept the Frenchman on the outside the whole fight, and while there was some beautiful work done on both sides, Lapin was able to cruise to a comfortable points win to become THE NEW IBF European Light Heavyweight champion. 99-91 across the board.
Peter McGrail (10-1) v Rhys Edwards (16-0) [Super featherweight]
A late replacement, Welshman Edwards steps in against Liverpool’s McGrail in a quality British bout. Edwards was already in training for a fight in England in January, and agreed to this bout on Monday, with just five days’ to get ready for McGrail. The Welshman came to fight as well, taking the war to McGrail in the early rounds, with an accidental head clash opening a cut on the Liverpudlian’s right eye. McGrail had to dig deep and what was meant to be a steady night for him became a see-saw fight, back and forth, with the judges giving him the edge 96-95, 96-94, 96-94. McGrail moves to 11-1 while handing Rhys Edwards his first loss.
The Full Card
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury [WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles]
Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis [Light middleweight]
Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean [Heavyweight]
Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen [Heavyweight]
Peter McGrail v Rhys Edwards [Super featherweight]
Isaac Lowe vs. Lee McGregor [Featherweight]
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin [Light-heavyweight]
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez [Heavyweight]
Mohammed Alakel vs. Joshua Ocampo Soto [Super Featherweight]
The main undercard is set to get underway at 12pm ET / 9am PT.
Tale of the tape
Oleksandr Usyk
Age: 37
Country: Ukraine
Height: 6ft 3in
Reach: 78”
Record: 22-0-0
Tyson Fury
Age: 36
Country: United Kingdom
Height: 6ft 9in
Reach: 85”
Record: 34-1-1
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to Diario AS USA’s live coverage of the rematch of rematches, as Usyk and Fury go at it again to see who has heavyweight division sewn up. It is not a undisputed bout, only because the IBF insisted that Usyk relinquish their belt in order to spread it around a bit. But don’t be fooled, Usyk is in fact the champion of champions.
Their first encounter in May saw Usyk narrowly clinch victory by split decision, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years and handing Fury his first professional loss.
In the lead-up to this bout, the atmosphere has shifted from cordial to charged. At a recent media event, Usyk playfully asked Fury to autograph a photo capturing a moment from their previous fight - Usyk's overhand left connecting with Fury's jaw. Fury obliged, but the gesture underscored the competitive tension between them.
Fury, 36, has adopted a more serious demeanor this time around. "I'm going to dish out a whole lot of pain. I'm going to put this f****r in the hurt locker, for sure," he declared at the final press conference. Known for his pre-fight antics, Fury emphasized, "The talking's been done. The first fight, I talked, I joked - all my career [I've done that]. This time I'm serious."
Usyk, 37, remained succinct, stating, "Now, we have just a performance; the talks, cameras, light and show. Everything is going to be taking place on Saturday night."
Their final face-off was a prolonged 11-minute stare-down, filled with silence and occasional barbs, highlighting the intensity of their rivalry.
Analysts view this rematch as pivotal for both fighters. Combat sports commentator Sean Wheelock suggests that while Fury is among the greatest heavyweights of this generation, this fight represents a crossroads. A second loss could impact his standing among the elite. Conversely, Usyk, undefeated and having unified titles at cruiserweight before ascending to heavyweight, seeks to further cement his legacy with another victory.
In their first encounter, Fury's early showboating gave way to a more aggressive Usyk in the later rounds. Usyk's overhand left in the eighth round and a barrage in the ninth had Fury reeling, though he managed to recover and finish the fight. Combat sports analyst Luke Thomas noted Fury's tendency to back up, surrendering space to Usyk, which proved detrimental. For the rematch, Thomas advises that Fury should adopt a more forward-pressing approach, utilizing his size and reach to disrupt Usyk's rhythm.
Usyk, known as "The Cat" for his agility and speed, employs exceptional footwork and head movement to outmaneuver opponents. His ability to adapt mid-fight makes him a formidable adversary. Fury, with his own blend of size, skill, and resilience, has a history of overcoming adversity, notably in his trilogy against Deontay Wilder.
The stakes are undeniably high. Although the IBF belt is not on the line - having been stripped from Usyk for not facing its mandatory challenger - the WBO, WBA, and WBC titles are up for grabs. A victory for Usyk could lead to a bout against the winner of Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, or a potential return to cruiserweight. For Fury, a win might set the stage for a trilogy with Usyk.
As the fighters prepare to enter the ring, the boxing world watches closely, aware that the outcome will significantly influence the legacy of both men. The rematch promises to be a defining chapter in heavyweight boxing, with each fighter poised to leave an indelible mark on the sport's storied history.
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