Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in yet another thrilling heavyweight epic.
Fury and Usyk were touching gloves in a mega second instalment of their epic heavyweight rivalry in Riyadh, six months on from Usyk’s undisputed title win over the Briton in May.
The ‘Gypsy King’ was looking to get sweet revenge against his long-term foe, to join an elite club including Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Michael Moorer by becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion.
While for Usyk, he was looking to cement his name as the boxing’s pound-for-pound leader, and preserve his undefeated record by beating his giant foe for a second time.
It was another epic war of attrition and an elite-level chess-match of true punching skill, but it was to go to the judges scorecards again.
And it was Usyk who was handed the victory, with the same outcome but this time by unanimous decision, at 116-112 x3 all in the defending champion’s favour.
The heavyweight pair had so much at stake, with Fury having come in heavier and making tactical approaches to try and alter the course of history.
Usyk came in with the invincible tag and an aura of steely grit and determination as always, and anticipation was in the air as the chess match unfolded again.
Proceedings began with the venue captivated as Fury looked to take the centre ring and set out his jab, following up with some swift straight shots early on.
The Ukrainian targeted the body early on trying to wrestle the early momentum in his favour, while using his deadly left hand which did so much damage the first time around, as the fighters laid down their cards.
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