Random thoughts on Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury

The Oleksandr Usyk – Tyson Fury rematch is now in the books.

The bout was competitive, but Usyk won.

No robbery. (a term overused to the extreme by some boxing fans)

Without question, Usyk is a great fighter—no argument on that.

He enters fights with a plan and executes it. Even if it doesn’t necessarily work, he makes it work. He seems to always win the later rounds.

Teddy Atlas summoned up Usyk correctly.

“He doesn’t have one weakness. And the most important thing is at the end of the day, the strongest part of him is the mental part. He’s always in charge of himself.”

“Usyk does what he does,” added Atlas. “He finds a way to win.”

That he does.

I remember several years ago watching him in one of his first fights from the Sports Palace in Kyiv. Cruiserweight Usyk won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games. He was celebrated and admired.

He won by stoppage to claim the WBO Inter-Continental title. I wasn’t particularly impressed. The fight was tight for a few rounds, but then Usyk took over. He upped the ante – found another gear.

This was a pattern I have witnessed over and over.

Against a huge Tyson Fury, Usyk needed all the skill and will he could muster. Fury is a freak of nature, a six-foot-nine-inch goliath who fights like a much smaller man. His feet and hands are nimble. His wingspan takes up half the ring. There was talk that nobody could beat him.

Enter Oleksandr Usyk, a fighter that Fury openly mocked last year.

“Rabbit, I’m coming for you, rabbit,” said Fury on X. “You’re getting it, rabbit. And I’ll tell you what else, I’m gonna bust you up real bad, you little middleweight. I’m going to slap you into a big pile of tattoos, sucker. Come on!” It came with the caption. You know who I am. The Gypsy King. There’s only ever been one. Come get some!”

A few months later, Fury said this at a press conference.

“You’re fighting the greatest British heavyweight that’s ever been,” Fury said to Usyk. “You’ve beat all the rest of them, but you haven’t met Tyson Fury yet, you sausage! Ugly little man. You know what’s coming, you’re getting smashed.”

Usyk smiled. Fury’s attempts at intimidation achieved nothing. Usyk is always in control of himself.

Said Atlas, “And the most important thing is at the end of the day, the strongest part of him is the mental part.”

True dat. Usyk is home now with his family. He said he’d turn his phone off and rest. He’s earned it. His victories over Anthony Joshua and Fury have cemented his place as the best heavyweight of his era.

When he returns, another rematch with Daniel Dubois, who Usyk stopped in 2023, is possible.

And Fury? He complained about the decision as he did after the first fight. I can understand the disappointment, but it’s sour grapes.

Losing twice to a rabbit and an ugly sausage has to hurt.