Tyson Fury’s recent rematch against Oleksandr Usyk unveiled the stark decline of what was once regarded as an extraordinary heavyweight boxing career. This bout, which took place on December 21st in Riyadh, marked a pivotal moment in Fury’s journey. The former WBC heavyweight champion entered the ring with a record of 34 wins, two losses, and one draw, and yet, he walked away from the match with a unanimous decision loss—a harrowing 12 rounds in which all judges scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk. The fallout from this defeat raises pertinent questions about both Fury’s performance and the direction of heavyweight boxing itself.
I had the opportunity to watch the rematch, and it was evident to me that Usyk’s strategy outclassed Fury’s, culminating in what I would score as a dominating 10-2 victory for the Ukrainian fighter. From the opening round, Usyk showcased remarkable agility and speed, contrasting sharply with Fury’s notably sluggish movements. The former champion’s struggles in this fight resembled the choreography of an aging athlete grappling with the limitations of time. Gone was the Fury who had once notably dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015; instead, viewers witnessed a fighter burdened by the relentless passage of years and poor conditioning.
Fury’s performance was perplexing. It seemed as though he felt the weight of his own assumptions about size and strength. His recent decision to add bulk, reminiscent of his fight against Deontay Wilder in 2020, backfired dramatically against Usyk’s skillful counterattacks. Whenever Fury attempted to employ tactics of mauling, Usyk responded with swift combinations—a revelation that highlighted the inadequacy of Fury’s plan. The heavy set approach, combined with a slow pace of striking, rendered Fury ineffective as he seemed unable to initiate a sustained assault.
Moreover, the responsibility for Fury’s lackluster showing cannot solely fall on him. His trainer, SugarHill Steward, became a figure of speculation as he failed to adequately equip Fury with the necessary strategies to adapt during critical moments of the fight. Steward urged Fury to press forward but neglected to clarify the urgency of the circumstances. In the last two rounds, when a clear path to victory—a knockout—was desperately required, no directives of that gravity were relayed. This misstep raises questions not only about Fury’s training regimen but also about the dynamics of their coach-fighter relationship.
One must also consider the psychological aspect of the fight. Fury’s claim that he believed he won by three rounds illustrates a disconnect from the reality of the bout. Such a mindset could explain his cautious approach during later rounds, as it suppressed the instinctive need to go for broke in pursuit of the knockout. This confusion may have stemmed from feeling overly comfortable with his past achievements, leaving him ill-prepared for the challenges posed by a seasoned fighter like Usyk.
As the dust settles on this rematch, many speculate about Fury’s future in the sport. With conversations of retirement looming after anticipated bouts against Anthony Joshua, it becomes crucial to evaluate what this fight signifies for the heavyweight landscape. Has Fury reached the end of his competitive trajectory? The shift in his performance compared to earlier years suggests a poignant transition. No longer revered purely for his physical attributes, the focus now turns to the intellectual and adaptive aspects of boxing—traits that Usyk demonstrated masterfully.
Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk serves as a microcosm of a broader narrative within the heavyweight division. It underscores not only the importance of continued evolution as a fighter but also the need for awareness of one’s own capabilities. The failing of trainers to address such fundamental aspects can hinder even the greatest athletes. As fans, we must hope that this bout is not the final chapter for Fury, but rather a wake-up call leading to either a renaissance or graceful exit from the ring.