Kingdom Arena: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
It’s taken boxing fans a quarter of a century to get what they’ve wanted. One name, one face in the biggest division in boxing. But because of a decision by the IBF, undisputed will only last a mere fourteen-days. A decision mind you that is totally their prerogative.
The back-and-fourth absolutely fantastic scrap between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury saw Usyk match Evander Holyfield as cruiser and heavyweight undisputeds, and the first to hold all straps since Lennox Lewis. The split-decision (115-112, 114-113, 114-113) that gave the 37-year old Ukrainian the victory will have waves felt around the division.
Well before going into the contest, the IBF had named the winner of Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois their mandatory challenger. With an immediate rematch locked in for the losers decision between Fury and Usyk, there’d be issues. Now these mandatories can easily be bought out to step aside. And are a lot of times. But it’s easier for the IBF to tell Usyk what to do, than Fury. Just because of backing and politics in the sweet science behind the scenes. So when the Englishman get’s his chance at redemption in October, there might be one less strap.
The other fighter who might have had hopes dashed is Anthony Joshua. He’s lost twice to Usyk, and no one clammoring for a trilogy. At least any time soon. Plus the fight with Fury has been long talked about, and undisputed at Wembley between these two-Englishmen, would be a game of high-stakes chess.
What Went Wrong For The Gypsy King
Well, lets start with what went right, since that’s a smaller list. He still is super resiliant and has a never say die attitude. He has very small windows where he gets cracked. Although Usyk seemed to find each one. He moves his head better than his body. And SugarHill Steward pleaded with him between more than one round to move his body more, and to also stop crossing over his feet when peeling away. His defense is not superb, but his size and range has kept him safe. He went away from digging Usyk’s body as well.
In training for the rematch, he has to be drilled over and over to stay off of the ropes, although he fought well with his jab at times going backwards. But his uppercut was eventually taken away by Usyk. And he was easily corralled along the ropes. He also has to regain a killer instinct. When he had Usyk in trouble, and he did at times, he chose to clown around and taunt. That’s just not a winning gameplan.
The fight saw both have plenty of moments, which makes it automatically a memorable scrap. And the loss doesn’t terribly damage Fury’s legacy in the sport. But continued mistakes and a loss in a rematch might shatter it. Although a win, may set off a third connsecutive fight.
Undisputed Will Last For Hopefully A Long Time
You just can’t match the laser focus of Eastern European fighters. That’s why in MMA and boxing, they can’t be dogged into foolishness. Now Usyk is not the prettiest or greatest to ever do it. But he always seems to find a way to win rounds when he has to. Between amateurs, Olymics, cruiserweight, and now here at heavyweight. His pressure, footwork, coming from all angles, and body work bank rounds. His IQ helps him finish opponents. He’s had what you can call a breath taking career. But he is 37. And a slide is sure to come soon.
It was a close fight. Both brought it, and it had drama. Everything we need in a battle. But the ultimate greats beat you not only with their offense. But they make their opponents less great by creating doubt. And the second Usyk had Fury out on his feet, although he recovered; doubt was setting in. Despite him post fight saying he won the fight, but lost it due to Ukraine’s war.
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