Usyk Vs. Fury 2 Results: What's Next For Oleksandr Usyk?

Oleksandr Usyk following the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO World Heavyweight championship contest against Tyson ... [+] Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday December 21, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

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On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk moved his career record to 23-0 when he scored a unanimous decision win over Tyson Fury in one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory. Usyk. who had topped Fury in May to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, is now 2-0 over Fury. With the loss, Fury fell to 34-2-1. Not long after his hand was raised, the question being posed was, what’s next for Oleksandr Usyk?

The most likely scenario for Usyk is a matchup against the winner of the upcoming fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker. That matchup, which will be for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title, is scheduled for February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dubois claimed the IBF title, which Usyk retained with his win over in Fury, after the organization denied Usyk’s request to avoid facing facing mandatory challenger Dubois so that he could hold the title until his rematch with Fury.

With the IBF’s stance, Usyk surrendered the belt weeks after his first fight with Fury. Dubois, who Usyk had knocked out in August 2023, won the interim IBF crown in June 2024, with a TKO Filip Hrgović. With Usyk relinquishing the belt, Dubois was named the undisputed IBF champion. A title he defended in September with a knockout win over Anthony Joshua.

Dubois, perhaps overlooking Parker, stepped into the ring on Saturday, following Usyk’s win to awkwardly call for a rematch with Usyk.

“I want my revenge! I want my revenge, Usyk,” Dubois said, interrupting Usyk’s in-ring interview. “Well done tonight. God bless, but I want my revenge. Let’s get it! Let’s go!”

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk shakes hands with Daniel Dubois in the ring ... [+] following victory in the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

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Usyk looking for Turki Alalshikh, said, “Make a fight with Daniel Dubois. Thank you so much.”

“Yeah, no problem. I’m ready. Next fight, no problem,” Usyk added when he got back to his interview. “Now I’m going back home for a little bit of rest, but I’m ready.”

"It's too early to mention Daniel Dubois' name," Usyk said later.

"Now I want to go back home, rest, turn off my phone, sit and look in the sky and how the trees grow.

"Not think about Dubois [or] Tyson Fury. Just rest and play with my children."

Eddie Hearn On What’s Next For Oleksandr Usyk

Following Usyk’s win over Fury on Saturday, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn offered his opinion on what’s next for Usyk, who retained the WBA, WBC, and WBO title with his victory.

"I don’t really see any other fights for Oleksandr Usyk but one thing I will tell you is don’t count your chickens,” said Hern. “I don’t think Daniel Dubois will necessarily beat Joseph Parker.

"I think Joseph Parker is on a tremendous run of form. He’s in the shape of his life, he’s extremely confident. But Dubois has a lot of confidence himself.

"If you’re looking at the future for Oleksandr Usyk, I guess it is to try and pick up that spare belt again that he let go."

BetOnline has Dubois listed as the -260 favorite over Parker for their upcoming matchup. Parker comes in as the +200 betting underdog.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC ... [+] and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Getty Images Usyk Vs. Fury 2 Results And Reaction:

Usyk and Fury both made adjustments for the rematch, and Fury looked much better throughout the fight. There was no clowning, no showboating. He put on weight and never allowed Usyk to back him into corners and tee off on him.

As for Usyk, he didn't allow Fury to have any sustained offense. While Fury was able to pull ahead during the middle of the first fight, Usyk remained focused. While he might have lost some rounds during that stretch in the rematch, Usyk made sure that whenever Fury scored, he would at least make an effort to answer back and end rounds strong, at least attempting to negate the offense from his opponent. Usyk simply did not provide Fury the time or space to capitalize on his offense or take a second to think about what he could do next. Usyk pushed too hard for the entire fight.

Fury fought well, but Usyk was better in the rematch. Sometimes a fighter has another competitor's number, and that seems to be the case here. It's hard to point to one (or more) areas that Fury could have improved on to defeat Usyk. Perhaps he could have been more assertive and aggressive in the final two rounds. Still, it's hard to imagine that the big man had much left in his tank at that point, especially since Usyk seemed as if he would have been able to go for at least another three rounds by the time the fight ended.

The judges got it right on Saturday, and with all three coming up with the same scores.

Fury shouldn't lose anything in the eyes of fight fans and pundits following Saturday's loss to Usyk, but what those people should do is add a heaping amount of respect and accolades to Usyk’s name.

Usyk vs. Fury 2: Fury Reacts

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Tyson Fury reacts to the judge's points decision after his bout ... [+] with Oleksandr Usyk at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).

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Tyson Fury was not happy after Saturday’s scores were read.

“I felt a little Christmas spirit in there. I think he got a Christmas gift from them judges – Christmas gift early,” Fury told reporters in the post-fight press conference following the bout, which took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I was quite confident. I thought I won that fight again,” Fury said. “I think I have Larry Holmes (syndrome). I thought I won both fights, but yet I’ve gone on with two losses on my record, so there’s not much I can do about it. I can just fight my heart out and do the best I can. Again, I’ll always believe it till the day I die: I thought I won that fight.”

Usyk vs. Fury 2: Usyk Reacts

Oleksandr Usyk during a press conference following his victory over Tyson Fury at the Kingdom Arena ... [+] in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday December 21, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

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"Tyson Fury makes me strong. Tyson Fury continues to motivate me, he is a great opponent," Usyk said during his post-fight news conference.

"A big man, a big boxer. He is a great man. I respect Tyson Fury. It is already history."

While we don’t know what’s next for Oleksandr Usyk, one thing everyone can be sure of, is that it will be a big matchup.