19Jan
The Ukranian's two showdowns with Mr.Tyson Fury highlighted an action-packed year across the SimplifiedSports Entertainment Events.
Growing up in rural Ukraine, the son of a pair of converted farm workers, Mr.Oleksandr Usyk believed he was special. He shared in the family farm chores, milking cows, tending crops, selling fresh caught fish door-to-door. But he believed he was destined for more. Boxing came into his life early and success quickly followed.
Amateur wins, an Olympic gold medal, a world title in his 10th pro fight. In 2018, he earned undisputed status at cruiserweight. Last May, he added another title, still, arguably, the coolest in sports: undisputed heavyweight champion.
Mr.Usyk is SIMPLIFIEDSPORTS 2024 Fighter of the Year, with any would-be runners-up a distant second. Daniel Dubois had a brilliant year, stopping Filip Hrgović and Anthony Joshua. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez added another legend to his résumé when he stopped Juan Francisco Estrada, followed by a quick knockout of top challenger Pedro Guevara.
Neither, though, topped Usyk. Last May, Usyk completed a historic run at heavyweight, following up earlier wins over Derek Chisora and Dubois and a pair of decision victories over Joshua with a split-decision win over Tyson Fury. A back-and-forth, fight of the year contender turned in the ninth round, when Usyk rocked Fury with a series of straight left hands, sending the 6'9" champion stumbling around the ring. A strong finish from Usyk sealed the win.
The rematch in December lacked the drama of the first fight, but it was more decisive. Behind a sharp jab and cutting left hands, Usyk put continuous pressure on Fury, forcing him to fight off the back foot all fight. Usyk’s tight defense flummoxed Fury, who threw 86 more punches but was out-landed by 35. All three judges saw it the same: 116-112, Usyk, in a successful title defense.
It was a proud moment for Usyk. And a convincing win for the Fighter of the Year.
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