Oleksandr Usyk remained undefeated when he they were well protected His undisputed heavyweight belt is one sentence over Tyson Fury on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Judges Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley and Ignacio Robles had the same scores in favor of Usyk, 116-112.
Usyk landed 179 of 423 punches (42 percent), while Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) landed just 144 of 509 punches, 28 percent.
When asked if he agreed with the judges' scores, Usyk said that it was not his place to ask, but boxing. “I win, it's good,” said Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs). “It's not my deal. I have won. Thank God.”
The most anticipated match since May's boxing match where Fury lost for the first time met with excitement from the moment the boxers entered the ring.
Usyk's team asked the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission at a meeting on Friday for Fury to cut his beard before they meet again in the heavyweight division.
He sported a big Santa Claus beard less than a week before Christmas, but the 36-year-old went clean in a sparkly Christmas dress and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You accompanied him to the ring.
After Fury opened the fight with a fast pace and dominated the first two rounds, Usyk responded in the third and fourth rounds by using his body while swinging and combining power to the head.
Fury fired several rounds in the fifth round, but Usyk's left hand was the story in the sixth, rocking his bigger and taller opponent twice.
In the second half of the fight, it became clear that carrying the extra weight was wearing Fury down, as speed began to catch up with him as the calm and patient Usyk favored him. Usyk's ability to get inside, strike quickly and damage Fury with a biting combination was the difference.
Feeling the pressure, an angry Fury came out running in the 10th, harassing Usyk around the clock. Usyk caught him at times with a steady jab, while Fury caught up late.
Usyk's speed came alive again in the 11th, landing combinations to Fury's head to stop him.
The two traded punches in the final round, Fury hoping to make a final impression on the judges while Usyk was looking for a tip.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, announced on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week that the AI trial judge will return the results. Usyk's best plan, 118-112.
Fury, who is now 5-1 in rematches, withdrew from the bout after the result was announced, but later told reporters in the locker room: “I thought I won by three rounds. I won the win.”
Speaking at a press conference, playing with a broken right eye, he added: “I thought I won both fights, but now I've lost twice on my record, so there's not much I can do.
“I can only fight with myself in my heart and do what I can. But I believe until the day I die that I won this battle.”
Only three belts were on the line this time after the IBF stripped Usyk for not facing his challenger, Daniel Dubois.
Dubois interrupted Usyk's post-fight interview, grabbed the microphone and asked for a rematch on August 26, 2023. Usyk won by knockout in the ninth round.
“I want revenge, Usyk,” Dubois said. “Okay tonight, but I want revenge.”
Usyk was forced to tell the officials who were present: “Your honor, make me meet Daniel.” Thank you very much.”
