Oleksandr Usyk clinched the undisputed heavyweight championship title by defeating British boxing sensation Tyson Fury in a thrilling match held today, May 19, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a closely contested bout, the Ukrainian emerged victorious via split decision, adding Fury’s WBC title to his own WBA, IBF, and IBO belts. The match showcased a remarkable late surge from Usyk, highlighted by a ninth-round knockdown, amidst an intense exchange between the two previously undefeated heavyweight champions.
Usyk’s initial aggression was met with a resilient performance from Fury, who dominated the middle rounds with confidence and charisma. However, Usyk rallied in the final rounds, reminiscent of his career as an Olympic gold medalist, seizing control and nearly stopping Fury in the ninth round with a powerful left hand that sent Fury sprawling into a corner just before the bell.
Despite Fury’s efforts to mount a comeback, he struggled to maintain consistency after the close call. Post-match, Fury contested the decision, asserting his belief that he had won the majority of the rounds. Usyk, on the other hand, expressed readiness for a rematch but emphasized the need for rest before considering further bouts.
At 37 years old, Usyk becomes the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis held the title from 1999 to 2000. Additionally, by defeating Fury, Usyk now holds the lineal heavyweight championship, a title previously held by Fury since his victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
