Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion | Boxing News

Ukraine's Usyk defeated Britain's Fury by split decision, becoming the first fighter with a unified title since 1999.

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a close split decision to win the world's first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years. This is an unprecedented feat in the four-belt era of boxing.

Britain's Fury was the early attacker, but Usyk gradually took control and the 'Gypsy King' was saved by a ninth round gong, but suffered his first career defeat on Sunday.

“It's a great time. It's a great day,” Usyk said.

Ukraine's Usyk joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since boxing introduced four major belts in the 2000s.

With this victory, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion can legitimately claim to be the best of this era, but an expected rematch in October could bring further developments.

Britain's Lennox Lewis became the last man to unify the three heavyweight belts at the time after defeating Evander Holyfield in 1999.

Usyk picked things up in the fourth round, showing some showmanship as he started catching Usyk with hard body shots, but the Ukrainian hit a few stinging shots that reminded him of his power. He counterattacked with a powerful attack.

Usyk turned the tide in the eighth round, but few would have been surprised if the referee had stopped the fight in the ninth round when the Ukrainian's powerful punch staggered Fury. Dew.

Usyk hurt Fury (34-1-1) with a left hand that sent him sprawling into the corner in the final seconds of the round, knocking him down just before Fury was saved by the bell. Fury struggled to mount a consistent attack after nearly being stopped, but the knockdown proved to be the deciding factor.

After the victory, Usyk fought back tears in the ring and said, “I'm really grateful to my team.''

“This is a great opportunity for me, for my family and for my country. Slava Ukraine!”

Fury wants a rematch

After the final bell, Fury kissed Usyk on the head. He also said Fury wants a rematch in October.

“I believe I won that fight,” Fury said. “I think he won a few rounds, but I won most of them. I think it was one of those hopeless decisions in boxing.” We both had a good fight, We did the best we could.

“You know, his country is at war, so people are on the side of the country at war. But don't get me wrong, in my opinion, I won that battle, and I won't go back.” There's a rematch clause.”

According to CompuBox stats, Usyk landed 41 percent of his 407 punches, while Fury only landed 31.7 percent of his 496 punches. Usyk threw more power punches (260 vs. 210) and landed more power punches (122 vs. 95).

Usyk now became part of an elite club that held all the major world championship belts in the heavyweight division. And he became the first to do so in the four-belt era that began in 2007. The list of undisputed champions includes Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson.

Stars lined up at ringside

Wladimir Klitschko was one of the legends in attendance, along with Saudi-based soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

Riyadh's new 22,000-capacity Kingdom Arena was packed when Usyk strutted onto the ring walk at 1:30 a.m. (22:30 GMT) wearing a green Cossack coat and fur hat. was.

Fury followed, dancing to Barry White and Bonnie Tyler's “Holding out for a Hero” in a green sleeveless jacket and back-to-back baseball cap.

It set the stage for a clash between two fighters with impeccable pedigrees and completely different approaches to the sport.

In the co-main event, Australia's Hai Opetaia defeated Latvia's Mairis Bredis by unanimous decision to win the vacant IBF cruiserweight title, while Ireland's Anthony Cacace won by TKO against Wales' Joe Cordina to retain his IBO super featherweight title and win the IBF belt.