Riyadh, May 19, 2024, The Europe Today: Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious over Tyson Fury in a split decision on Sunday, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years. The highly anticipated match took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In a dramatic fight that turned in the ninth round, Usyk nearly ended the bout with a decisive knockdown. Two judges scored the match 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while the third judge gave a 114-113 decision to Fury.
Usyk started the match aggressively but had to withstand Fury’s dominance in the middle rounds. However, Usyk rallied in the final rounds, taking control with a dominant performance in the eighth round and showing renewed vigor in the ninth. A powerful left hand had Fury in trouble, and Usyk capitalized with a flurry of punches, trapping Fury against the ropes. The referee ruled a knockdown as the bell ended the round.
The 37-year-old Usyk, a Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist, added Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, solidifying his position as the undisputed champion.
“Thank you so much for my team,” Usyk said after the fight. “Thank you so much, my God, Jesus. Thank you. It’s a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country. It’s a great day.”
Usyk is the first boxer to hold the undisputed heavyweight title since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and 2000. He is also now the lineal heavyweight champion, a title Fury earned by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
This defeat marks the first loss in Fury’s 16-year professional career. Despite the setback, Fury remained defiant and optimistic about his future in boxing. “I believe I won the fight, but I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses,” Fury said in the ring. “I’ll be back.”
A rematch is planned for later this October, giving Fury an opportunity to reclaim his title and settle the score with Usyk.
