by Edward Oseghe

Oleksandr Usyk won his long-anticipated epic rematch with Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night as he retained his three world championship belts, and his unbeaten record.

The two heavyweights fought a tough battle, but it was the incumbent who became victorious after 12 exacting rounds.

The Ukrainian came into the match-up with the WBA, WBC and WBO belts after winning the first match in May.

Fury kept his distance in the first round, with his surprisingly heavy frame allowing him to dominate the middle of the ring.Â

Usyk had the best early attack, Fury landed a heavy blow of his own, but neither man made a decisive impression early.

In the second round, Usyk attempted to take the initiative, as he had with the press for most of the build-up.

Usyk appealed to the ref at the opening of the third round for what he felt was a blow to the back of his head.

Fury showed his technical ability and confidence, with a brief switch to southpaw.

Fury targeted Usyk’s body – vulnerable in the past against Daniel Dubois when he was fortunate to be given the referee’s grace from a relatively low blow – early in the fourth, and Fury was holding his ground well.

Usyk then sent an overhand left to rattle Fury’s jaw, recalling, only slightly, that ninth-round panic he felt back in May.Â

The fifth saw the pair clinch as the Ukrainian upped the pace, but Fury retained control of the ring centre, hitting Usyk’s body hard.

Approaching the end of the sixth round, Usyk clattered Fury with a heavy left, and followed up well to keep his opponent alive to the danger he posed.

As the pair completed the seventh and eighth, it was still in the hands of both fighters – and the judges – before the arrival of the championship rounds.

Cheers greeted aggression from both men as the crowd looked for a stoppage rather than a decision, but they each gave as good as they got in the 11th, and the 12th round gave way to anticipation, before Usyk was given the nod.

In truth, Fury had failed to show that he deserved to dislodge the incumbent, and apart from an all-British extravaganza against Anthony Joshua, he may be tempted by retirement.

Fury and Usyk fought first in May.

The rematch offered Fury the chance of redemption.

For Usyk, this fight felt less personal, more professional. He had the pride of his unbeaten record to put on the line, but he had already become the first undisputed champion, and he had passed up his IBF strap long ago.

In addition, for Usyk, there are no more lands to conquer. There will be paydays offered up, perhaps even a trilogy that may seem somewhat bloodless, but he is right now the finest boxer of 2024, and perhaps one of the greatest of all time.