By Jeff Carroll
Round 1:
The bell rings in Riyadh, and both men step into the spotlight, steam rising from the mat, with each carrying the weight of their legendary reputations on their shoulders. Usyk dances on the balls of his feet, a master conductor orchestrating the early tempo with feints and precise jabs. Holyfield stalks with purpose, his gloves tight to his temples, like a coiled spring waiting to snap. Usyk’s straight left zips below the guard, finding a home on Holyfield’s ribs, but “The Real Deal” shrugs it off and counters with a hook that just grazes Usyk’s jaw. The crowd buzzes, sensing the layers of strategy unfolding. It’s Usyk’s round, but Holyfield is already making him work for every second of it.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Between Rounds 1 and 2:
In Usyk’s corner, his trainer speaks in calm, clipped Ukranian, reminding him to stay loose and keep using the jab to set up his angles. Across the ring, Holyfield’s trainer leans in close, his voice gravelly with urgency: “He’s quick, but don’t let him dictate. Start digging to the body. Make him feel you.”
Round 2:
Holyfield storms out of his corner with a newfound fire. His footwork is calculated chaos, darting in and out as he bobs under Usyk’s southpaw jab. Suddenly, Holyfield lunges forward with a searing one-two that forces Usyk to retreat. The Ukrainian fires back with a crisp left to the midsection, but Holyfield is relentless, cutting off the ring and unloading a four-punch combination that grazes Usyk’s high guard. The crowd roars as Holyfield pins him briefly on the ropes, landing a clean uppercut that punctuates the round. Usyk escapes with a slick pivot, but Holyfield’s aggression and power shots make the difference.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Round 3:
The Ukrainian southpaw resumes his tactical brilliance, doubling up on his jab and peppering Holyfield’s guard with sharp combinations. Holyfield, as tough as they come, weathers the storm and looks for counters, but Usyk’s footwork is poetry in motion. He circles to Holyfield’s right, sneaking in a lightning-quick left hook to the body. Holyfield presses forward, throwing looping hooks that just miss their mark, but Usyk’s precision shines through. A perfectly timed straight left snaps Holyfield’s head back, momentarily silencing his charge. The round belongs to Usyk, who’s showing why they call him the chess master of the ring.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Between Rounds 3 and 4:
Holyfield’s corner is all fire and brimstone. “Cut off the ring! Stop chasing him!” his trainer barks, slapping his gloves for emphasis. Usyk’s corner, by contrast, is ice-cold, reminding their man to keep the jab busy and not to stand still for even a second.
Round 4:
Holyfield charges like a man on a mission, bulldozing his way into range with his trademark grit. He plants a thudding right hook into Usyk’s ribs, drawing a sharp exhale from the Ukrainian. Usyk, ever the problem solver, tries to circle away, but Holyfield traps him on the ropes and unloads a punishing series of body shots that ripple through the arena. The Real Deal’s work to the body is beginning to pay dividends, visibly slowing Usyk’s movement. Usyk responds with a quick one-two down the middle, but Holyfield walks through it and finishes the round with a booming overhand right that leaves an exclamation mark.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Round 5:
Usyk comes out with renewed focus, his jab snapping like a whip as he dances just out of Holyfield’s reach. The Ukrainian doubles and triples his jab, forcing Holyfield to reset. A clean left uppercut sneaks through Holyfield’s guard, and Usyk pivots away before the counter can come. But Holyfield, the relentless force, manages to corner him again and lands a chopping right hand to the temple. The round ends with Usyk landing a sharp combination upstairs, his accuracy giving him a slight edge in an otherwise hard-fought round.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Between Rounds 5 and 6:
Usyk’s trainer gives him a quiet but firm pep talk. “Stay sharp, keep circling. He’s trying to slow you down. Don’t let him.” Meanwhile, Holyfield’s corner leans into their fighter, shouting, “He’s feeling it now! Keep digging to the body—he doesn’t like it there!”
Round 6:
The pace quickens as Holyfield starts cutting off the ring with more precision, forcing Usyk into uncomfortable exchanges. Holyfield’s right uppercut finds its mark, rocking Usyk momentarily and drawing gasps from the crowd. Usyk shakes it off and fights fire with fire, landing a dazzling three-punch combination to the head and body. But Holyfield’s pressure is relentless, and his bodywork begins to sap Usyk’s movement. A brutal left hook to the liver nearly doubles Usyk over, but he grits his teeth and survives the round. “Was it low?” whispers in the crowd. Holyfield’s relentless pressure wins the frame.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Round 7:
Usyk regains control, using his jab like a spear to keep Holyfield at bay. His movement is back to its fluid best, and he starts landing sharp, clean punches that slice through Holyfield’s guard. Holyfield presses forward but finds himself walking into counters, including a left straight that snaps his head back. The crowd roars as both men exchange in the final seconds, but Usyk’s accuracy and ring generalship shine through.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Round 8:
Holyfield’s legendary heart is on full display as he ramps up the pressure, pinning Usyk on the ropes and unloading vicious hooks to the body. Usyk counters with sharp left hands, but Holyfield seems unfazed, grinding his way inside and punishing the Ukrainian with relentless combinations. A right uppercut lands cleanly, causing Usyk to hold momentarily. Holyfield’s work rate and heavy shots give him the round, even as Usyk manages to land sharp counters in spurts. Both men are displaying an incredible gas tank.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Round 9:
Usyk adapts again, staying on his toes and using angles to frustrate Holyfield’s advances. He lands a crisp left hook upstairs, then pivots away before Holyfield can respond. Holyfield continues pressing, but Usyk’s movement and precise counters keep him one step ahead. A beautifully timed straight left in the final seconds seals a tactical but decisive round for Usyk.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Round 10:
The fight enters deep waters, and both men start to show the wear and tear of battle. Holyfield digs deep, pressing forward and landing heavy shots to the body and head. Usyk fires back with clean counters, but Holyfield’s relentless assault keeps coming. A thudding right hook rattles Usyk, but the Ukrainian responds with a well-timed one-two that stops Holyfield in his tracks. The crowd is on its feet as the round ends in a heated exchange, but Holyfield’s pressure takes the edge.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Round 11:
Usyk’s stamina shines as he resumes his high-volume attack, peppering Holyfield with jabs and sharp combinations. Holyfield tries to pin Usyk on the ropes, using his head as a battering ram, but Usyk lands a sneaky uppercut followed by a three-punch combo that forces Holyfield to step back for the first time in a long time. Holyfield keeps marching forward, but Usyk’s precision and movement dominate the round.
Lederman’s Card: Usyk
Between Rounds 11 and 12:
Holyfield’s corner pulls out all the stops, roaring at their fighter: “You need this round! Go after him, no let-up!” In Usyk’s corner, his trainer stresses composure. “Don’t get dragged into his fight. Stick and move. You’re ahead—be smart.”
Round 12:
The final round is nothing short of a war. Holyfield charges out of his corner, throwing everything he has in a last-ditch effort. He traps Usyk along the ropes and lands a ferocious barrage to the head and body, drawing roars from the crowd. Usyk fights back valiantly, slipping punches and firing crisp counters that keep Holyfield honest. Both men stand toe-to-toe in the closing seconds, trading bombs to the delight of the crowd. Holyfield’s aggression may edge the round, but Usyk’s counters make it razor-close.
Lederman’s Card: Holyfield
Harold Lederman has it a draw.
Result:
Split Decision Victory: Oleksandr Usyk
The judges reward Usyk’s precision, adaptability, and ring IQ over Holyfield’s relentless pressure and heart. Holyfield’s effort wins him the crowd, but Usyk’s cleaner work and ability to dictate the fight earn him a hard-fought, razor-thin victory. Both men leave the ring with their heads held high, having delivered an unforgettable classic.