- Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk finally went toe-to-toe for the undisputed title
- Usyk claimed a split-decision victory and was crowned undisputed champion
- The Gypsy King was praised for his bravery after weathering a storm of blows
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in the ninth round of their undisputed heavyweight fight on Saturday night, before claiming a split-decision victory over the British fighter.
Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while the final judge gave the fight to Fury 114-113.
The Ukrainian fighter was subsequently crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the first time in the four-belt era, becoming the first fighter to hold all the belts in the division since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
While Fury looked to outlast his opponent in the opening rounds, Usyk would rally late.
During the ninth round, the Ukrainian unloaded a series of punches on the British boxer, leaving him unstable as he forced him to the ropes.
Tyson Fury left stunned after facing a barrage of punches from Oleksandr Usyk
The British fighter was knocked down in the ninth round of the fight after receiving several brutal strikes from Usyk
Fury looked dazed when the referee intervened to separate the fighters after the knockdown, but thought Fury could continue after giving him the count.
The British fighter was then saved by the bell just as he returned to the center of the ring after being clubbed by his opponent.
Although Fury didn’t hit the boxing classes on the floor, it’s a knockdown if the fighter uses the ropes to support himself.
After the break, Usyk appeared to pick up where he left off and attacked Fury again, but the British fighter held his own admirably despite the flurry of punches thrown at him – with Usyk appearing to take his feet off the accelerator.
Fury would continue to fight until the end, even after blood poured from his nose, but would ultimately be defeated by Usyk.
Despite this, the Gypsy King was praised for his resilience by fellow heavyweight Joseph Parker, who called him a ‘warrior’.
‘What a fight to see, I was on the edge of my seat. Usyk set the tone and pushed him back from the start,” Parker told DAZN.
“Tyson Fury is a warrior and he always finds a way to get back up. He hit some big shots on Usyk.”
Despite taking several brutal hits, Fury fought on bravely and was praised for his performance
Wladimir Klitschko claimed Fury (left) had the ‘heart of a lion’ after the fight
Usyk (right) came back late in the fight to seal the win over Fury, knocking the British fighter down in the ninth round
His courageous performance was also praised by former opponent Wladimir Klitschko, who told DAZN: ‘It was very difficult to get close because of Tyson Fury’s size and mobility. In one word, Oleksandr Usyk changed from one to 100.
‘Unbelievable. I’m surprised Fury got up. He has the power, but his power is his heart. I’m really proud tonight.
‘He wasn’t distracted by all of Tyson Fury’s tricks. He waited for the opportunity to make full contact and he did.
“Tyson Fury showed the heart of a lion and he recovered quickly. I’m so proud of my husband.’