Usyk Makes History, Becomes Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury in Riyadh
In the early hours of Sunday morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk made history by defeating Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly a quarter of a century.
The unbeaten Ukrainian emerged victorious from a grueling 12-round battle, adding the WBC title to his existing WBO, WBA, and IBF crowns – a feat never before achieved in the four-belt era. Usyk, now boasting a perfect 22-0 professional record, secured the victory through a split decision, with the judges’ scorecards reading 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113.
“I feel good. A lot of people prayed for me, I love you. I’m very happy,” Usyk expressed in a jubilant post-fight statement.
The defeat marked the first professional loss for Fury, who now stands at 34-1-1. Despite the loss, Fury remained defiant, claiming he believed he had won the fight.
“I believe I won that fight,” he said. “I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them. We go back to our families and we run it back in October. I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses.”
The last time the heavyweight division saw an undisputed champion was when Lennox Lewis accomplished the feat in 2000. Usyk’s victory now places him among the likes of boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield in the most exclusive club in the sport.
The bout was a tale of two halves, with Fury dominating the early stages through his superior height and reach. However, Usyk roared back in the latter part of the fight, connecting with a flurry of punches that forced Fury to face a referee’s count, only the eighth time in his career. Both fighters displayed the mental and physical fortitude that have made them champions, with Usyk ultimately emerging victorious.
“My people will be very happy I think. It’s a big win, not only for me, it’s a big win for my country, for soldiers who now defend my country,” Usyk said. “I think my father now is watching over me and is very happy. Dad, I love you. I can, you told me I can.”
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