Fury vs Usyk 2: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury to retain unified heavyweight world title

In a rematch billed as Usyk vs Fury ‘Reigns’, two of the sport’s most technically gifted heavyweights displayed another classic and elite level of boxing.

The Gypsy Kings were in a playful mood with an unconventional ring entrance to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’.

Dressed as Father Christmas, Fury still sported a bushy beard that was removed at a rules meeting amid protests from Usyk’s team.

The stern-faced Usyk made his way to the ring in very quick time. Dressed like a warrior, he sat in a corner to recite prayers.

After an 11-minute face-off on Thursday, Fury and Usyk picked up where they left off, locking eyes with each other as they met in the center of the ring.

No one showed over-commitment during the difficult initial phase. Fury had his way in the first fight but there was more seriousness to his work here. He staggered Usyk in the final seconds.

With an advantage of six inches in height, eight inches in reach and four stone in weight, Fury used his physical ability to keep Usyk at the limit.

But as he did in the first fight, Usyk found success targeting Fury’s body.

Two bruising left hooks landed Fury in the fourth. “Keep it basic. He’s running around – slow it down,” trainer Sugarhill Steward told Fury after the fifth.

An overhand left connected cleanly with Fury’s forehead in the sixth. Fury’s pace slowed down and Usyk was getting into his groove.

However, Fury got a second wind and moved up to ninth place. It seemed as if there was still time to play in the championship round.

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor husband Jason Statham watched from plush ringside seats, along with an impressive list of boxing royalty, including Roberto Duran, Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed.

Usyk made a brilliant combination in the 11th. With Fury momentarily hurt, the champion applied pressure.

The Fury pair looked more frustrated as Usyk finished the fight on top.