[A photo with boxing coach Chris Pang and myself in our interview. Photo Credit: Hayden You]

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, back on the 21st of December last year to retain his heavyweight world title. 

A month after their first fight in May, which resulted in a split-decision victory for Usyk, the two fighters met in a highly-anticipated rematch.

That fight in May was the first-ever loss in Fury's career. 

Following the first fight, Fury immediately called for a rematch, which led to this second bout.

Fury, who faced heavy criticism for his performance in the first fight, looked better in the rematch, using his height to try and keep Usyk away.

However, as the fight progressed, Fury started to tire while Usyk appeared to grow stronger. 

By the later rounds, Usyk had seized control.

Usyk landed 179 punches out of 423 attempts, 42%, while Fury only landed 144 out of 509, landing at 28%.

In the final rounds, Fury tried to score a devastating blow that would end the fight, but Usyk blocked his shots and maintained control throughout. 

All three judges scored the fight 116-112 for Usyk, much to the frustration of a disgruntled Fury and the rest of his team.

An unhappy Fury then told reporters, “I thought I won both fights, but now I have two losses on my record. I'll always believe I won.”

Entering the ring dressed as Santa Claus to the tune of Mariah Carey's ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ Fury joked that an early Christmas present from the judges was Usyk's win.

“Not really, he never hurt me once,” Fury replied dismissively when asked if Usyk was his toughest opponent throughout all of his career.

Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, also expressed disagreement with the judges, describing their decision as “dreadful” and making it clear that he thought Fury should have won. 

Usyk, however, took the criticism all in stride, though: he labeled Warren a “crazy man” and said he was blind. 

After defeating Fury twice, he stated that he was ready now to go on holiday with his family and take a rest from boxing.

With this victory, Usyk retains the heavyweight titles, while Fury faces the reality of his second-ever defeat.

In an interview with Chris Pang, a boxing coach, he shares his insight into the fight itself. 

“Honestly, Usyk deserved to win,” Pang stated.

He added, “Fury came out really strong, using his size, trying to keep Usyk away. But as the fight wore on and Fury began to tire, Usyk just seemed to get better and better.” 

Pang included his coaching experience, “You can see it as a coach: when his energy level goes down, he doesn't adjust.” 

“Usyk remained focused, moving well, and landing clean. He was picking his shots, not wasting anything, which is what you teach in the gym.” 

Pang then outlined why Fury ultimately lost the bout, “The thing is, Fury became way too wild with the shots later on.” 

“You can't just swing in the ring and hope that it will land; it's all in the timing and control,” Pang added.  

Overall, Pang was impressed with Usyk’s performance, “He's so patient, always in position, and when Fury did make those mistakes, Usyk made him pay.”

Chris Pang concluded on one final note, “As a coach: not all is about power in boxing; it's about smart boxing. Fury tried but couldn't match Usyk’s pace, and that's why, at the end of the day, it wasn't even close.” 

For such a highly anticipated match between two fantastic boxers, it seems the victory for Usyk was simpler than it seemed, especially when viewed by an expert.