Boxing is a weird sport. One minute you're the king of the world, and the next, you're chasing ghosts in a ring in Riyadh. That’s basically where we found ourselves with Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2. After the first fight in May 2024, everyone had an opinion. Some said Fury clowned around too much. Others thought Usyk was just a literal magician in gloves. But when the rematch finally went down on December 21, 2024, it wasn't just about the belts. It was about legacy.
Honestly, the atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena was different the second time around. There was less noise and more tension. We all knew what was at stake. Oleksandr Usyk came in with the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, having vacated the IBF one earlier in the year. He didn't need to prove he belonged at heavyweight anymore. He'd already beaten the biggest man in the division.
Fury, on the other hand, looked like a man with a heavy weight on his shoulders. He came in at a career-high 281 pounds. Most experts, like those over at Racing Post, figured he’d try to use that bulk to lean on Usyk. You know, the classic "big man" tactics.
The Reality of Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2
The thing people forget is that Usyk is a master of adaptation. He doesn't just box; he solves puzzles. In the first few rounds of the rematch, Fury actually looked sharp. He was aggressive. He wasn't showboating as much as he did in the first fight—remember that ninth round in May where he almost got stopped? Yeah, he learned from that. Sorta.
But here is where it got tricky. Usyk started targeting the body. That straight left hand of his is like a sniper rifle. By round seven, you could see the pace was catching up to Fury. The extra weight he brought in to "bully" Usyk? It seemed to be working against him. He was breathing heavy.
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What happened in the middle rounds?
- Round 4: Usyk lands two massive lefts, but Fury manages to punch his way out.
- Round 5: Fury lands a wicked left uppercut. For a second, it looked like the tide was turning.
- Round 8: Usyk takes over. He starts hunting.
It’s crazy how consistent Usyk is. All three judges eventually scored the fight 116-112. That’s a unanimous decision. No split decision drama like the first time. Usyk landed 179 punches out of 423. Fury? He threw more—509—but only landed 144. That’s a 28% connect rate. In the world of elite boxing, that’s just not going to cut it against a guy who doesn't miss.
Why the Result Sparked So Much Debate
Even though the scorecards were identical, Fury didn't take it well. He left the ring almost immediately. No interview. No "Gypsy King" speech. Just a man who knew he'd met his match. You’ve probably heard the rumors or seen the headlines about how he felt he won. But the stats from CompuBox don't lie. Usyk was more efficient, more accurate, and frankly, more composed.
There’s this idea that because Fury is 6'9" and Usyk is 6'3", the size should have been the deciding factor. It wasn't. Usyk’s lateral movement is just too much. He makes big guys miss, and when they miss, they get tired. When they get tired, they get hit. It’s a simple cycle that Usyk has perfected over 23 professional fights.
The Undercard Fireworks
If you missed the undercard, you missed some serious highlights.
Moses Itauma is a name you need to remember. The 19-year-old heavyweight phenom absolutely demolished Demsey McKean. A first-round TKO. It wasn't even close. Then there was Serhii Bohachuk, who forced Ishmael Davis to retire after six rounds. The "Romford Bull" Johnny Fisher also picked up a win against Dave Allen, though that one was a bit more of a scrap.
The End of an Era?
After the fight, the boxing world was left wondering: what now for Tyson Fury? He actually retired for the second time on January 13, 2025. It feels final this time, but with Fury, you never really know. He’s 34-2-1 now. Both those losses came from the same man.
Usyk, meanwhile, is sitting on top of the world. He proved that the first win wasn't a fluke. He’s now eyeing a potential clash with Daniel Dubois or perhaps just enjoying the fact that he's the undisputed king of his era.
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If you’re looking to understand the technical side of why things went south for Fury, look at the footwork. In the championship rounds—10, 11, and 12—Usyk outlanded Fury significantly. While Fury was switching to southpaw to try and confuse the Ukrainian, Usyk just kept the pressure on. He didn't let Fury breathe.
Actionable Takeaways for Boxing Fans
- Watch the Jabs: In the first fight, Fury’s jab was his best weapon. In the rematch, Usyk negated it by parrying and moving his head. If you watch the tape, count how many times Fury’s lead hand falls short.
- Efficiency over Volume: Fury threw nearly 100 more punches than Usyk but landed 35 fewer. In high-level boxing, accuracy wins.
- The Body Count: Look for the body work in rounds 4 through 6. That's where Usyk took the legs out of the bigger man.
The saga of Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2 effectively closed the book on the current heavyweight landscape. It showed us that while size matters, timing and IQ matter more. Usyk didn't just win a fight; he won the argument.
Analyze the punch stats yourself. If you go back and watch the 11th round, notice how Usyk uses a lead hook to set up the overhand left. That specific combination was the "cheat code" he used all night. Study that sequence to see how a smaller fighter can dominate the inside against a giant.