Cool Sword!

12/22/2024 04:00 PM

After beating Tyson Fury for the second time, Oleksandr Usyk pulled out a sword once wielded by a Hetman general against Russian forces hundreds of years ago.

It was another big night for Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia as he defeated Tyson Fury for the second time, this time via unanimous decision (highlights here). The first fight was an extremely close affair and ended with Usyk getting a split decision. This time he walked away with 116-112 scores on all three judges' cards.

The victory clearly meant a lot to Usyk, who is a staunch supporter of his country Ukraine as it approaches three years of war against Russia. While he made no overt political statements in the ring, he did reference the conflict during his post fight interview and with his actions after.

"I want to dedicate this victory to my mother, who's been worried and nervous about me for many years," he said. "And to all the mothers of Ukraine."

As Fury's promoter Frank Warren took to the mic to complain about the scoring, Usyk ignored the commotion and lifted up a saber wielded by Cossack Hetman Ivan Mazepa, who fought for Ukraine's freedom against Russia in the 17th century. Mazepa's influence was so profound that for hundreds of years to be anti-Russian in Ukraine was to be called a Mazepist.

"This serves as a reminder to the world of the remarkable field marshal who fought against Russia for the freedom and unity of Ukraine over 300 years ago," Usyk's manager Alex Krassyuk said at the post-fight press conference.

"The 17th century saber arrived in Riyadh from Ukraine where it is normally preserved in the Chernihiv historical museum. It was transported with adherence to all regulations and under the supervision of museum experts. For the first time in boxing history, a museum artifact has been allowed in the ring."

"For centuries, Russia has tarnished the name of headman field marshal Mazepa," Krassyuk concluded. "Thanks to Oleksandr Usyk, that name is returning to the global media sphere and will receive recognition."

Transport of the historic item was funded by the Usyk Foundation, a charitable organization which provides humanitarian aid for civilians and funding for Ukraine's armed forces.

As for Oleksandr's own battles, it looks like a rematch with Daniel Dubois is next ... provided Dubois can get past Joseph Parker in February. For now he stands atop the heavyweight division in boxing, having vanquished two of its biggest names in undeniable fashion.