Brilliant bout reveals harsh truth for Fury and Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk is the king of the modern heavyweights and has left in his slipstream the ruins of every giant boxer he has faced in the ring.

- STEVE BUNCE

On Saturday night in Riyadh, Usyk fought to a standstill once again in a gruelling clash with Tyson Fury. It was their rematch and it was personal and brilliant.

At the end of 12 rounds, Usyk won an oddly wide unanimous decision to retain his championship belts and his crown as the king of the heavyweights. The three identical scores of 116-112, which meant Usyk won eight and Fury just four of the completed rounds, was harsh on Fury, but the right man had his hands raised.

Usyk had to once again find a way to overcome disadvantages in height, reach and weight to win; Fury was about five inches taller and 55lb heavier. Usyk has mastered the art of beating big men by using his feet, his timing and, ultimately, his desire to win.

At the end, as Usyk fell to his knees in prayer and Fury dipped down to kiss his great opponent’s head, both men had the scars and bruises from the fight. Usyk’s face was swollen, reddened, but his icy-cold stare remained in place. It is not easy being the king in the land of the giants, but Usyk has found a way.