Paul Malignaggi noted that it was the Ukrainian who determined the course of the fight with the "Gypsy King".
Former world champion in the first welterweight Paul Malignaggi commented on the victory of the WBA title holder, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk in the rematch with Tyson Fury.
According to him, the fight was competitive throughout, but in the final rounds the Ukrainian showed himself better, which is why he won a fair victory.
See also: “He can already be the GOAT”: the former world champion generously praised Usyk after his second victory over Fury
“We saw Tyson Fury come in with a lot of weight and we expected him to try to make it a physical fight. Usyk is not someone who is easy to catch. He has those angles, constantly changing position and creating new punching opportunities. He constantly feints and jerks to avoid Fury's jabs and then lands overhand lefts.
I liked how he constantly set a trap when he worked jabs to the stomach and lefts to the head. It worked a few times and he was able to land clean shots.
Fury was also a good puncher. He had some sharp one-twos during the fight. We saw a bruise under Usyk's left eye from Fury's accurate right hands. Tyson also landed some decent uppercuts.
Overall, the energy of the fight, the flow of the fight, and the way it went was in Usyk's favor. He was the one determining how they would fight. I thought the fight was competitive throughout, but Usyk solidified his advantage in the last two rounds. In those two rounds, Fury was more intent on holding his opponent and buying time than winning. It was a test of his endurance, when the fight was on the edge.
I think Usyk had a slight advantage before the 11th round, or the score was tied. But those last two rounds were decisive. There can be no doubt about who deserved to win this fight more,” Malignaggi said in an interview with Paulie TV.
See also: Lennox Lewis comments on Usyk's victory in the rematch against Fury
Usyk vs. Fury rematch: fight results
On the night of December 22, Usyk defeated Fury in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) by unanimous decision (three times 116-112) and defended his WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight titles.
On our website you can watch a video of the best moments of the rematch between Usyk and Fury, as well as bright photos of the fight.
Also for your attention are the judges' notes and the punch statistics of the Usyk – Fury rematch.
Fury did not admit defeat from Usyk, disagreeing with the judges' verdict. The Ukrainian boxer responded categorically to these words of the “Gypsy King”, stating that he had won a well-deserved victory.
See also: “Wants money”: Usyk's promoter commented on Fury's desire to have a third fight with the Ukrainian
Unlike the first fight, the Usyk-Fury rematch did not involve the title of absolute world champion, since Alexander had previously renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by the Briton Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out his compatriot Anthony Joshua.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk defeated Fury by split decision in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
Usyk became the first absolute world heavyweight champion in the 21st century and the first in history “absolute” heavyweight with four main titles – WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC.