The Usyk vs Fury rivalry is the most significant heavyweight boxing series of the 21st century, resulting in Oleksandr Usyk becoming the first four-belt undisputed champion in history after defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024 and repeating the win in December 2024. In their first encounter at the “Ring of Fire” event, Usyk secured a split-decision victory that saw him nearly stop Fury in the ninth round. The rematch, billed as “Reignited,” took place on December 21, 2024, and saw Usyk dominate more clearly with a unanimous decision (116–112 on all cards). As of March 2026, Usyk holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles, while a highly anticipated trilogy fight is being negotiated for late 2026 or early 2027 as part of Usyk’s confirmed three-fight retirement plan.
The First Fight: Ring of Fire (May 2024)
The historic first meeting was the first time an undisputed heavyweight champion was crowned in the four-belt era.
The Ninth Round Knockdown
On May 18, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the fight changed dramatically in the ninth round when Usyk landed a devastating overhand left. Fury was left “out on his feet,” ricocheting off the ropes multiple times before the referee registered a standing knockdown. This moment proved to be the deciding factor on the scorecards, as Usyk had been trailing in the middle rounds after a strong surge by Fury.
Split Decision Result
The official scorecards were 115–112 for Usyk, 114–113 for Fury, and 114–113 for Usyk. Despite Fury’s showboating and effective uppercuts in the sixth and seventh rounds, Usyk’s superior conditioning allowed him to sweep the final third of the fight. This victory ended Fury’s 35-fight unbeaten streak and solidified Usyk as a two-division undisputed king.
The Rematch: Reignited (December 2024)
The second encounter proved that Usyk’s technical intelligence was a puzzle Fury could not solve twice.
Unanimous Decision Dominance
Unlike the first fight’s razor-thin margin, the December 21, 2024, rematch was more decisive. Usyk utilized lateral movement and consistent body work to neutralize Fury’s height and weight advantage (a 55lb difference). All three ringside judges scored the bout 116–112 in favor of the Ukrainian, who retained his unified championship status and silenced critics who questioned the first result.
Aftermath and Fury’s Retirement
Following the defeat, Tyson Fury briefly retired in January 2025, claiming he had “nothing left to prove” after a career of immense highs. However, by early 2026, the lure of a final trilogy fight and the emergence of new contenders brought the “Gypsy King” back into active training. As of March 2026, Fury is scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in London as a tune-up for his final pursuit of Usyk’s titles.
Usyk’s 2026 Retirement Roadmap
Oleksandr Usyk has officially announced his intention to retire after three final fights to secure his legacy.
The Great Pyramid Defense
In a move that has captivated the sporting world, Usyk will defend his WBC title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026. The bout, titled “Glory in Giza,” will take place at the foot of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. This crossover event is seen as a legacy-building spectacle rather than a traditional boxing challenge.
Reclaiming the WBO Belt
Usyk vacated the WBO title in late 2025 to avoid mandatory obligations while recovering from injury. His 2026 plan involves facing the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois clash (set for May 9) to once again unify all the major belts before his final career act.
Technical Analysis: Style vs. Size
The rivalry has been a case study in how elite movement can overcome massive physical disadvantages.
The Southpaw Advantage
Usyk’s southpaw stance and “piston-like” jab consistently disrupted Fury’s rhythm. In the rematch, CompuBox data showed Usyk landed 42% of his total punches, a remarkably high accuracy for a heavyweight. Fury, while landing powerful body shots in the middle rounds, struggled with Usyk’s high-volume output in the “championship rounds” (10 through 12).
Fury’s Weight Adjustments
For the second fight, Fury weighed in at a career-high 281 pounds, intending to “bully” the smaller Usyk. While this weight helped him in the clinches during the first five rounds, it ultimately led to fatigue. By the eighth round, Usyk’s speed allowed him to tag Fury repeatedly, leading to the facial bruising that hampered the Briton’s vision.
Practical Information for Boxing Fans
Attending a major heavyweight title fight in 2026 requires specific travel and ticketing knowledge.
Visiting Riyadh for Boxing
Most major Usyk vs. Fury events are hosted as part of “Riyadh Season” in Saudi Arabia.
Travel: Flights to King Khalid International Airport (RUH) are available from all major global hubs.
Visas: Visitors can obtain a Saudi eVisa quickly online for tourism and sporting events.
What to Expect: Events are held in world-class venues like the Kingdom Arena, featuring high-production light shows and star-studded crowds.
2026 Ticket Pricing
Standard Seats: Prices for major heavyweight cards typically start at £150 ($200).
Ringside: VIP and ringside experiences can exceed £5,000 ($6,500).
Broadcast: In 2026, DAZN PPV and Netflix remain the primary broadcasters for global heavyweight events.
FAQs
Who won the last Usyk vs Fury fight?
Oleksandr Usyk won the most recent fight on December 21, 2024, by unanimous decision with scores of 116–112 on all three judges’ cards.
Will there be a third Usyk vs Fury fight?
Yes, Oleksandr Usyk confirmed in March 2026 that a trilogy with Tyson Fury is the final fight of his three-bout retirement plan, likely to take place in late 2026 or early 2027.
How many belts does Usyk have now?
As of March 2026, Usyk holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world titles. He vacated the WBO belt in December 2025.
Is Tyson Fury retired in 2026?
No. Although he retired in January 2025, Tyson Fury returned to boxing in early 2026 and is scheduled to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, 2026.
Who is Rico Verhoeven and why is Usyk fighting him?
Rico Verhoeven is a world-renowned kickboxing champion. Usyk is fighting him in a sanctioned WBC boxing match on May 23, 2026, in Egypt as part of a crossover legacy event.
How old are Usyk and Fury in 2026?
Oleksandr Usyk is 39 years old (born Jan 1987), and Tyson Fury is 37 years old (born Aug 1988).
Where was the Usyk vs Fury rematch held?
The rematch took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Who is the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion?
Oleksandr Usyk became the first four-belt undisputed champion when he defeated Tyson Fury in May 2024.
Why did Usyk vacate the IBF belt?
Usyk vacated the IBF title shortly after the first Fury fight to allow Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois to fight for it, rather than holding up the division with a rematch clause.
Did Fury ever beat Usyk?
No, as of March 2026, the score in their rivalry is 2–0 in favor of Oleksandr Usyk.
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