Oleksandr Usyk is the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, beating Tyson Fury in a split decision.
The win made the Ukrainian the first to do so since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999. Usyk scored a knockdown in round nine, which proved critical. The first two rounds were all Usyk. The Ukrainian’s southpaw jab was pushing Fury backwards, as Usyk took control of the centre. A big left over the top caught Fury, who struggled early on.
Rounds three and four were much better for Fury. The Gypsy King found his jab, which peppered Usyk. He targeted the body as Usyk was slowing down. Fury was in control, showboating to the crowd, as the momentum was in his favor. Usyk was struggling with the size difference, with Fury picking him off.
#FuryUsyk | Live NOW on DAZN! Click link in bio to buy. #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/5FmtcHZjXe
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
Usyk made the necessary adjustments as he picked up the pace. Usyk’s footwork was closing the gap as he backed up Fury with his southpaw stance. A huge left rocked Fury in the eighth round, as it landed near Fury’s right eye. That began bleeding.
A bloodied Fury heads to the corner #FuryUsyk | Live NOW on DAZN! Click link in bio to buy. #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/udaa8z2FBM
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
Usyk then rocked Fury in the ninth round with another big left. Fury covered up as Usyk threw combinations on the ropes. Fury was rocking around the ring, hitting the ropes, as the referee began the count. The Gypsy King was saved by the bell, somehow surviving. That changed the fight, with Fury on the defensive.
Tyson Fury was shaken as Oleksandr Usyk landed a series of powerful punches, forcing the Gypsy King against the ropes and achieving a knockdown. pic.twitter.com/aVNSuvdIBC
— Apex Episodes (@ApexEpisodes) May 19, 2024
Usyk was peppering Fury, who needed a big last round. But it was all Usyk, whose left hand landed continuously, as he took the decision: 115-112, 113-114, 114-113. The fighters received a huge applause after the bell. In the post-fight comments, Usyk’s manager, Alex Krassyuk, felt Fury was lucky not to get stopped. Fury, however, felt he did enough to win.
WHAT A FIGHT. JUST GREATNESS IN THERE.#FuryUsyk | Live NOW on DAZN! Click link in bio to buy. #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/Gi6mvjelYo
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
THAT crowning moment for Oleksandr Usyk #FuryUsyk | #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh | @usykaa pic.twitter.com/C0kR1Z5Ovc
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
THAT crowning moment for Oleksandr Usyk #FuryUsyk | #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh | @usykaa pic.twitter.com/C0kR1Z5Ovc
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
A very emotional Oleksandr Usyk immediately after becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world! #FuryUsyk | #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh | @usykaa pic.twitter.com/JwD8umVGPD
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 18, 2024
"I believe I won this fight" – @tyson_fury #FuryUsyk | #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/o8fPfn1VyP
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 19, 2024
‼️ Tyson Fury has arrived at the post-fight press conference, Oleksandr Usyk has gone to hospital with a suspected broken jaw and won’t be attending… pic.twitter.com/T1jqV87yMO
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 19, 2024
Oleksandr Usyk on his victory over Tyson Fury: “Since 2008 I was planning for this. It’s not for my win, it’s for my God, my supporters, my country, the Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian mother and father, children. I want to go to my home, I want to rest, a break, I want to eat,…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 18, 2024
Tyson Fury on his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk: "I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them. We both put on a good fight. His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 18, 2024
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!