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Oleksandr Usyk enters his rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21 in Saudi Arabia as the man to beat in the heavyweight division.
Earlier this year, the Ukrainian stunned the boxing world by handing Fury the first professional loss of his career. In a tactical masterclass, Usyk used his movement, precision, and relentless pace to outpoint the much larger Fury, securing a unanimous decision and further cementing his legacy.
Now, with Fury seeking redemption, the stage is set for another heavyweight showdown of epic proportions. While Usyk commands slightly better betting odds heading into the clash, the stakes remain monumental, with both fighters vying for dominance in one of boxing’s most exciting eras in a match that is tough to call in terms of Fury vs Usyk odds.
Despite his success, Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF title earlier this year due to contractual obligations, a move that hindered his pursuit of an undisputed title defence. However, his focus remains on retaining his remaining belts and enhancing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his generation when the two clash in Saudi.
Speaking on DAZN’s FACE OFF before their upcoming bout, Usyk admitted he was looking forward to their rematch, and suggested he is the toughest foe he has faced.
“Because Tyson knows what I do and I know what Tyson does, it will be a different fight,” he said. “I think [he is my toughest rival].
“Listen, I have much respect for all my opponents because it’s boxing, it’s a tough sport. It’s a very dangerous sport. This man is very famous around the world, he’s a big man, I’m a small man, he is a big man. But we have a second fight.
Ahead of the rematch, we take a look back at the toughest challenges Usyk has faced in his remarkable career, fighting across different weight classes and for a plethora of titles.
Tony Bellew
The fight that perhaps helped Usyk establish himself as a modern great, the Ukrainian defended his undisputed cruiserweight title against Tony Bellew in a memorable bout at Manchester Arena.
Bellew started strong, finding success with clean shots and early control. But Usyk’s superior conditioning and IQ wore him down as the fight progressed.
It was the first time he had fought on British soil, and the scouser showed heart despite clearly being the lesser fighter, with Usyk showing the same superiority that put Murat Gassiev to bed in Russia just four months earlier.
By the eighth round, Usyk unleashed a devastating left cross that sent Bellew crashing to the canvas, securing a sensational knockout victory. The fight marked Usyk’s final appearance at cruiserweight, capping off an era of dominance before his ascent to heavyweight.
Dereck Chisora
In 2020, Usyk faced heavyweight veteran Dereck Chisora in one of his earliest tests after moving up from cruiserweight.
Chisora’s relentless pressure tested Usyk’s physicality, but the Ukrainian’s superior movement and combination punching allowed him to dictate the fight’s pace.
The Ukrainian showed he could compete as a top heavyweight, winning the WBO Inter-Continental title via unanimous decision at Wembley Arena.
Anthony Joshua
In September 2021, Usyk shocked the boxing betting by outclassing Anthony Joshua to capture the unified heavyweight titles.
Despite entering as the underdog, Usyk’s superior footwork, angles, and precision boxing dismantled the reigning champion. Joshua struggled to impose his size and power as Usyk controlled the bout, earning a unanimous decision with scores of 117–112, 116–112, and 115–113.
Their rematch the next year saw Joshua adopt a more aggressive approach, but Usyk’s technical brilliance shone through once again. The victory solidified Usyk’s position atop the heavyweight division, while Joshua’s post-fight meltdown underscored the psychological toll of facing the southpaw.
Daniel Dubois
Before his clash with Fury, Usyk defended his titles in a controversial encounter against Daniel Dubois in Poland. In the fifth round, Dubois landed a body shot that dropped Usyk to the canvas, but the referee ruled it a low blow—a decision that divided fans and pundits alike.
Undeterred, Usyk recovered and demonstrated his resilience, ultimately stopping Dubois in the ninth round. The fight was a reminder of the challenges Usyk faces in the heavyweight division, and if the Brit can overcome Joseph Parker in their IBF title match, we could be looking at a rematch between the two in 2025.
