Oleksandr Usyk DEFEATS Tyson Fury via split decision to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world – after stunning comeback from the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia
Oleksandr Usyk delivered a stunning performance on Saturday evening by beating Tyson Fury and becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-cushion era.
The judges scored the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk that night to see the Ukrainian win via split decision.
It was a tale of two halves at the Kingdom Arena after Fury dominated the opening rounds before Usyk came back to control the fight with a flurry of punches in the ninth round that left the Gypsy King floundering.
After the final round, there was mutual respect between the two fighters who exchanged kisses and hugs as they waited for the result.
However, Fury’s mood soured when Usyk was declared the winner, with the British fighter telling an interviewer as much “People are siding with it Usyk because of the war in Ukraine’.
Oleksandr Usyk (left) made a stunning comeback on Saturday to defeat Tyson Fury (right)
The Ukrainian gave Fury trouble in the ninth round and almost knocked out the Gypsy King
The victory makes Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion of this century
Fury started the fight well but began to fade as the heavyweight title fight progressed
Both men came flying out of the blocks in the opening round, with Fury trying to keep Usyk at bay before landing some heavy shots to the body.
However, Usyk, using his diligent footwork, tried to nullify Fury’s reach and get inside by operating at different levels – which ultimately paid off.
However, Fury was clearly having a good time in the opening round, gesturing to the crowd before being caught by the Ukrainian while on the ropes.
The Gypsy King looked for the uppercut in the second round and missed twice before overtaking Usyk with 10 seconds left. The Ukrainian carried it well, but certainly felt Fury’s power.
Usyk then landed a right-left combination in the second before reeling from a powerful body shot from Fury.
However, the Ukrainian ended the round by getting Fury in the corner and throwing a flurry of punches before complaining that his counter punch landed on the back of the head.
Then a clash of heads in the fourth fans ensured Fury’s gash would open up, but Fury didn’t seem concerned – calling on Usyk before doing a few Muhammed Ali shuffles.
Fury appeared to gain the upper hand over his opponent as Usyk complained of two low blows in the fifth round before being caught twice to the body. Fury also managed to cut Usyk above his right eye.
The Gypsy King got the fans excited in the sixth, landing an uppercut that wobbled the Ukrainian before finishing the round with his hands behind his back.
However, Usyk survived and mounted an impressive comeback, continuing to operate at different levels in the eighth to try to close the distance.
Usyk seemed confused at times, but overcame the adversity to ultimately win the fight
The Gypsy King taunted Usyk the entire fight despite being second best that night
The Ukrainian scored a knockdown in the ninth as Fury was held up by the ropes
Then the reels turned on the ninth round. Fury was saved by the bell, or perhaps the referee, after going down following a brutal attack from Usyk.
The Ukrainian tapped into an energy that Fury thought was not lasting after previously dominating, and stunned the British heavyweight with a number of powerful combinations.
Usyk then continued the attack in the 10th, asserting his dominance over the British star as he continued to set the pace and keep Fury in the background.
After the tenth, both men showed signs of fatigue after putting everything they had into what can only be described as an excellent fight.
It was an all-out war for the final round, with the judges scoring 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk.
After the fight, Fury claimed ‘people are siding with’ Usyk because of the war in Ukraine’ after his split-decision defeat.
“I believe I won that fight,” he said during TNT Sports Box Office’s live broadcast of the fight.
Usyk and his team stand with his four heavyweight belts after the triumphant victory
Meanwhile, Fury made the stunning claim that ‘people are siding with the country that is at war’
“And I think he won a few rounds, but I won most of it. I believe we both put up a good fight – the best we could do.
“And you know, his country is at war. People side with the country that is at war. Make no mistake, in my opinion I won that fight.”
Usyk’s trainer, Alexander Krassyuk, apparently disagreed with Fury’s claims as he insisted the Ukrainian was robbed of a knockout in the ninth round.
Krassyuk said: ‘I’m exhausted, I supported Usyk the whole fight. No disrespect to the referee, but I think he stopped a KO in the ninth, but it was a great performance regardless.
“It was incredible and I hope to see more in the rematch.”
Shortly after the decision, fans showed their support for the Briton on social media, with some claiming he was being unfairly treated on the scorecards.
“Tyson Fury got robbed,” a fan posted on X in response to the fight. ‘Show the heart of a lion.’
Another wrote: ‘Fury 115 Usyk 144 – Fury robbed but Usyk brilliant!’
Cristiano Ronaldo (center) sat in the front row, next to Anthony Joshua (left)
Some of the sport’s biggest stars were in attendance on the evening, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Joshua and Neymar looking on.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has been a regular at big fights in Saudi Arabia and continued that trend on Saturday.
Sitting next to Joshua for the big fight, the footballer was given plenty of attention as the build-up to the main event continued at the Kingdom Arena.
Before the main event kicked off, the 39-year-old was approached by former rival and fellow football superstar Neymar, and the two had a brief conversation before embracing.