The Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a split decision in Riyadh and became the first overall heavyweight champion in 25 years, an unprecedented feat in the four-belt era.
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Fury started attacking his opponent, but Usyk gradually took over and the reeling ‘Gypsy King’ was saved by the bell in the ninth round before recovering. The Ukrainian boxer joins legends like Mohamed Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champion and the first since boxing recognized four titles in the 2000s, those of the World Association (WBA), World Council (WBC), World Organization (WBO) and International Federation (IBF).
The heavyweight fight.
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Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last boxer to unify the heavyweight belts (three at the time) after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Two judges gave the victory to Usyk with cards of 115-112 and 114-113, while the third awarded it to Fury 114-113. The victory brings Usyk’s professional record to 22-0. After his first loss, Fury is 34-1-1.
Usyk, who adds Fury’s WBC belt to his IBF, WBA and WBO titles, looks destined to become one of the greats after dominating at amateur level, at cruiserweight and now at heavyweight.
Fury vs. Usyk.
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But the Ukrainian hit Fury with two clean left hands in the seventh and landed an uppercut that stunned the ‘Gypsy King’ in the eighth. In the next round, a relentless barrage from Usyk put Fury in serious trouble and the staggering and bleeding Mancunian took a standing count before being saved by the bell. Fury regained his composure and with the decision on the line heading into the final round, both fighters were finding the target.
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