Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC, WBA ‘super’, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles with a unanimous decision win against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.
The pair originally met in May, where Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) scored a ninth-round knockdown on the way to a split decision win that added Fury’s WBC title to his wealth of belts.
It was an attacking start by both, but Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) was measuring his attacks, and a nice left hand landed in round two, with a right hand off the jab momentarily staggering the champion.
‘The Gypsy King’ was working well off his jab, keeping Usyk at bay, but the Ukrainian started to crank up the pressure in rounds six and seven, and he was coming on strong as the bout went to the championship rounds.
Both men left everything in the ring as they battled for supremacy, and the fight seemed well in the balance as it went to the scorecards.
Usyk was declared the winner by three identical scores of 116-112.
The Ukrainian was called out by IBF heavyweight world champion, Daniel Dubois for a rematch, although the Brit defends his title against Joseph Parker on February 22.
Itauma destroys McKean
Moses Itauma further enhanced his credentials, as he blasted out Demsey McKean inside a round.
McKean (22-2, 14 KOs) was down in the opener, and on the resumption, a huge left hand from Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) had his senses scrambled, and the fight was waved off.
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Bohachuk retires Davis
Super welterweight contender, Serhii Bohachuk forced Leeds’ Ishmael Davis to retire after six rounds of their WBC super welterweight final eliminator.
Davis (13-2, 6 KOs), who took the bout on two weeks’ notice after Israil Madrimov’s withdrawal, was down in the second round.
‘The Black Panther’ regrouped and was game, but ultimately outgunned and pulled out by his corner at the end of the sixth round.
Madrimov (25-2, 24 KOs) is in pole position for a shot at unified WBC and WBO champion, Sebastian Fundora.
Fisher edges past Allen
The popular Johnny Fisher was involved in a real struggle with Dave Allen before claiming the WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title with a split decision win.
Some big blows from Allen (23-7-2, 18 KOs) had Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) on the deck and all at sea in round five, and the ‘White Rhino’ troubled the Romford man at regular intervals, but Fisher prevailed by two scores of 95-94, against a 96-93 score for Allen.
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McGregor sees off Lowe
In a crossroads clash at featherweight, Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs) took the vacant WBC International title with a clear points win against Isaac Lowe (25-3-3, 8 KOs).
A pair of 97-91 tallies, and a third score of 96-92 ensured the Scot took the belt.
Remaining Undercard
Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) opened the televised portion of the event by retaining his WBC International title with a competitive points win against Edgar Ramirez (10-2-1, 4 KOs).
Two scores of 100-90, and a third tally of 98-92 confirmed Novytskyi’s dominance.
At light heavyweight, Daniel Lapin took the vacant IBF International title with a points win against Frenchman Dylan Colin (14-1, 4 KOs).
Lapin (11-0, 4 KOs) ran out a winner by two scores of 99-91 and a third at 100-90.
Peter McGrail’s cut looked nasty 😨 pic.twitter.com/NsiEtqJdnQ
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) December 21, 2024
Peter McGrail was due to face Dennis McCann, but after McCann failed a pre-fight drug test, Rhys Edwards (16-1, 4 KOs) stepped in, and ran the Liverpool man close before losing on points after ten rounds at featherweight.
Two scores of 96-94, and one at 96-95 saw McGrail (11-1, 6 KOs) declared the winner.
Mohammed Alakel (2-0) took a 60-53 win after six rounds on all three cards at lightweight against Joshua Ocampo (8-34-5, 6 KOs).
