Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Result and reaction as ‘Gypsy King’ rages at judges after heavyweight title rematch
The biggest rematch of the year saw the champion edge out Fury once again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tyson Fury’s mission to avenge his only professional defeat ended in crushing disappointment as he lost on a unanimous points decision to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh.
Another classic encounter between the well-matched rivals ended with Usyk retaining his WBC, WBA and WBO belts by finishing 116-112 ahead on all three judges’ scorecards, with an upset Fury storming out of the ring.
It was a fair reflection of the Ukrainian’s control of the rematch given he set the pace for most of the 12 rounds and was the harder worker, landing more frequently and with greater impact.
But that was not the view of Fury, who labelled the result an “early Christmas gift” from the judges to Usyk, or his promoter Frank Warren, who described the decision as “nuts”, “crazy” and “a nonsense”.
Usyk’s performance confirmed his status as an all-time great and the 37-year-old will now look to become undisputed champion for the second time by toppling IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Relive the fight with round-by-round updates below, plus all the reaction from the Kingdom Arena:
Anthony Joshua reveals round-by-round scorecard for Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2
Anthony Joshua believes Tyson Fury was one round away from a draw or even claiming revenge against Oleksandr Usyk in the pair’s heavyweight world title rematch in Riyadh.
Another classic fight unfolded between the rivals, with the Ukrainian retaining the WBC, WBA and WBO belts after all three judges scored the fight in his favour 116-112.
But Joshua saw a much closer fight than judges Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley and Ignacio Robles, following late drama to decide the third official.
Anthony Joshua reveals round-by-round scorecard for Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2
Tyson Fury reacts to defeat against Oleksandr Usyk
“I felt I won both fights, I knew what I had to do, knock him out to get a decision, there’s no doubt in my mind that I won the fight,” Fury said.
“What’s next for me? I’m going home and having some time off.
“On the record, there’s no difference, two losses. It’s been a good experience, good training.
“I felt good in there, good pace on the front foot.”
Tyson Fury rages at judges after losing unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury stormed back to his changing room after the fight, incredulous that he dropped another decision to Oleksandr Usyk.
Frank Warren rages at judges for Usyk v Fury 2: ‘It’s crazy. It’s a nonsense’
"I'm dumbfounded, they gave him four rounds out of the 12 rounds, it's impossible, one judge didn't give him any round from round six onwards,” Frank Warren says.
“How can that be? It’s impossible. It’s crazy. It’s a nonsense.
“Everybody along the front had him winning, Oscar De La Hoya had him winning by three rounds.
“He only won one round on two of the judges’ scorecards from round six onwards.
“What fight were they watching?
“How can Tyson only have won four rounds in this fight? Four rounds, all different rounds, yes [I thought he won the fight]. I don’t know [what he wants to do next], he’s very disappointed.
“It’s up to him [if he fights again], it’s too early, it’s nuts. I don’t get it. We’ll see what happens. I thought he was in control of the fight and had Usyk on his back foot for most of the fight. It is what it is.”
Carl Frampton lauds Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Tyson Fury
“If you look at his resume, what he did at cruiserweight, then he moved up to heavyweight, all away from home, in hostile territory,” Carl Frampton says.
“The guy is an absolute great, not just this generation. He’s a great, that’s it.”
Lennox Lewis reacts to Usyk’s win over Fury
“It was a good fight, I’d have liked Tyson to be more aggressive and go after Usyk more,” Lennox Lewis said.
“He won the first fight, so it was up to Tyson to go after him and win it. In terms of the winner, the scoring was correct.
“He will feel he won the fight, I thought he could’ve done more work, Usyk hit him to the body a few times, free shots, they were scoring shots.
“He could retire, he can do whatever he wants. I don’t know if there will be a rematch [with Dubois].
“He goes to London in the biggest fight in history, maybe Anthony Joshua.”
Usyk v Fury 2
Hearn warns Daniel Dubois after calling out Usyk before his fight with Joseph Parker: "Don't count your chickens.
“He [Parker] is in the shape of his life and extremely confident, I guess it's to pick up the spare belt that he let go. Opetaia brings speed and youth, I think that's the fight to make.”
Tyson Fury abruptly leaves ring to avoid interview after losing to Usyk again
Tyson Fury was quick to leave the ring after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday, avoiding a post-fight interview.
Fury suffered a decision loss to Usyk for the second time this year, and their rematch was in fact more decisive than their first meeting; Usyk won 116-112 on all three scorecards on Saturday, after beating the Briton by split decision in May.
Both fights took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the first clash crowning Usyk as the undisputed heavyweight champion. The Ukrainian, a former undisputed cruiserweight king, then gave up the IBF belt in June, meaning only the WBC, WBO and WBA titles were available on Saturday.
And Usyk will leave Saudi Arabia with those belts still in his possession, as well as his unbeaten record.
Meanwhile, Fury was quick to leave the ring after his unanimous-decision loss, which marked the second defeat of his professional career.
Tyson Fury abruptly leaves ring to avoid interview after losing to Usyk again
Usyk v Fury 2 fight stats
The stats show why Usyk was declared the winner, having landed 35 more shots over the 12 rounds.
Usyk landed 179 punches, Fury only landed 144, though the Briton did throw 509 shots, compared to the champion’s 423.
But Usyk’s efficiency was crucial, landing at a 42 percent ratio, with Fury down at 28 percent.
Usyk v Fury 2: Eddie Hearn urges ‘Gypsy King’ to face Anthony Joshua
Eddie Hearn: “The reality is, there’s only one fight for Fury: Anthony Joshua. It’s the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
“It wasn’t a flat performance, it didn’t look like his punch resistance was in question. He might be in the peak of his powers, just not good enough to beat Usyk.
“One at Wembley, then back out for Riyadh Season.”
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