Oleksandr Usyk paid tribute to rival Tyson Fury after scoring a repeat win over the Englishman on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, rather than allowing the former champion to avenge his May defeat.
Usyk and Fury have dominated a busy heavyweight landscape in 2024, with their original fight date pushed from February to May after Fury was cut, and then possibly concluding their rivalry tonight.
Usyk was left in the ring in Riyadh postfight to conduct interviews, while Fury left for the locker room, believing once more that he had done enough to win a decision.
All three judges marked 116-112 for Usyk.
Asked about Fury, Usyk said: “It’s a great fighter, it’s a great opponent, it’s a great 24 rounds. Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much.”
The fight was close all the way and, for many, hung in the balance until the scorecards were read out.
Asked how he always seemed to get better as a fight goes on, Usyk replied: “I don’t know, maybe I’m trained. Good prepare. My wife help me. Today, for me, it’s a very happy day, because today my sons won a competition, too – judo also, and they got orange green belts and they said to me, ‘Papa, you next,’ and I say, ‘OK, I’m trying.’”
Usyk then dedicated the victory to his mother, and took a moment to think about those who are doing their best to help support Ukraine during the war with Russia.
“I want to devote this victory to my mother,” said Usyk. “She’s worried about me all the time. And I give all this [glory] to her and to all mothers of Ukraine.”
Some felt that, having cleaned up at cruiserweight and having done the same at heavyweight, the 37-year-old Usyk might be tempted to retire on top. He has defeated the only other heavyweight belt holder, Daniel Dubois. He holds two wins over the money men in the division, Fury and Anthony Joshua. But he has no plans to quit.
“I can more,” he said.