Oleksandr Usyk is coming off a career-defining second win over Tyson Fury, cementing his legacy as an elite P4P talent. Usyk won by unanimous decision, defeating Fury by scores of 116-112, or 8 rounds to 4. Fury’s second loss now sets up a monster domestic clash against Anthony Joshua, who Usyk has also defeated twice. This highly anticipated all-British showdown, however, has seen further twists and turns in the heavyweight landscape since Usyk’s dominant performance.
Saturday night, December 21, 2024, saw the much-anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Usyk, who became the first undisputed heavyweight since Lennox Lewis when the pair first fought in May 2024, put on a masterclass to defeat Fury for the second time, overcoming a significant weight difference. Usyk’s victory in the rematch was a clear unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in his favour. This followed their initial encounter on May 18, 2024, where Usyk secured a split-decision victory to claim the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Fury claims to have won the fight, by at least 3 rounds and was dumbfounded in the press conference as to how the scorecards could’ve been 116-112. Additionally, an AI judge was implemented for the first time and scored the fight 118-112, though this did not have any bearing on the official decision.
Usyk’s Undefeated Reign and Growing Legacy
Oleksandr Usyk now stands at an impeccable 24-0 professional record, with 15 of those wins coming by knockout. His remarkable career began in 2013, and he quickly ascended through the cruiserweight ranks, becoming the undisputed champion in that division in 2018 after defeating Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series final. Usyk then made the bold move to heavyweight, where he continued his dominance. His impressive list of victories includes Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Tony Bellew, and two wins over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022 to claim the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles. Following his two victories over Tyson Fury, Usyk further solidified his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats. He briefly held the undisputed heavyweight championship after his first win against Fury in May 2024, but later vacated the IBF title in June 2024 to allow other contenders to fight for it. However, Usyk reclaimed undisputed status in July 2025 by defeating Daniel Dubois via fifth-round knockout, making him the first male boxer to become a three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era across two weight classes.
Tyson Fury’s Path and the Call for a Domestic Clash
Fury on the other hand suffers his second career defeat and stands at 35-2-1. Before his encounters with Usyk, Fury boasted an impressive undefeated record of 34-0-1, including a memorable lineal heavyweight championship win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and a thrilling trilogy with Deontay Wilder, which saw him capture and defend the WBC heavyweight title. His two losses to Usyk mark the only blemishes on an otherwise stellar professional record. Following his second defeat to Usyk, Fury has since returned to the ring, securing a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 10, 2026. With both Fury and Anthony Joshua having now lost to Usyk twice, the long-awaited all-British dust-up of Fury vs Joshua has been a persistent topic of discussion, with many believing it may finally happen.
Anthony Joshua’s Recent Form and the Unfulfilled Showdown
Anthony Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, has navigated a challenging period in his career. His record currently stands at 29-4 with 26 knockouts. The original article, published December 23, 2024, correctly noted that Joshua was coming off a devastating stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois. This fight took place on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, where Dubois defeated Joshua by knockout in the fifth round to retain the IBF heavyweight title. This result was a significant upset, as Dubois dominated the action, dropping Joshua multiple times before the final stoppage. Prior to this, Joshua had secured a second-round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou on March 8, 2024.
Despite the setback against Dubois, Joshua has since bounced back, notably defeating Jake Paul by knockout in the sixth round on December 19, 2025. The highly anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, however, has yet to materialize. As of May 2026, the fight is reportedly scheduled for “later this year” or “before the end of the year.” Joshua is slated for a tune-up fight against Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before a potential mega-bout with Fury.
Usyk’s Prediction and Heavyweight Implications
In an interview with YouTuber Boxing King Media, Usyk was asked, ‘You did 24 rounds with Tyson Fury, 24 rounds with Anthony Joshua, which 24 rounds were harder?’ to which Usyk responds, ‘Tyson Fury’. He was then asked, ‘Who would you think is the favourite if they fight each other now?’ ‘Maybe Anthony Joshua’ says Usyk. This prediction from the man who has defeated both British heavyweights carries significant weight, especially considering the differing trajectories of Fury and Joshua in the immediate aftermath of their respective losses to Usyk.
The heavyweight division remains captivating, with Oleksandr Usyk firmly established as its reigning king, having achieved undisputed status twice. The potential Fury vs Joshua clash, despite its delays and the recent outcomes for both fighters, continues to be a massive draw. Fury, even after two losses to Usyk, remains a formidable force, and his recent win against Makhmudov indicates his continued activity and ambition. Joshua, having recovered from the Dubois loss with a decisive win over Jake Paul, is also looking to reassert his dominance. The implications for the division are immense; a Fury-Joshua fight would undoubtedly crown a definitive British heavyweight king, while Usyk’s continued reign sets a high bar for any contender. Tyson Fury has even expressed interest in a third fight with Usyk after he “beats” Joshua, indicating the enduring rivalries at the top of the division.
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