On a dramatic night in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury faced a split-decision points defeat as Oleksandr Usyk became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing history. The highly anticipated match, which unfolded in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, marked a pivotal moment for both fighters, especially for the 35-year-old Fury, who experienced his first professional loss in his 16-year career.
The bout began on a high note for Fury, who initially took control but encountered serious trouble in the ninth round. Usyk’s relentless assault led to Fury being given a standing 10 count and being saved by the bell. The judges’ scorecards reflected a close and intense match: two judges favored Usyk with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while the third judge scored it 114-113 for Fury.
Defiant in the ring post-fight, Fury stated, “I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority. It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I’ll be back.” Despite this setback, Fury is set to have a chance at redemption with a rematch planned for later this year.
Usyk, at 37 years old, took the WBC belt from Fury, adding it to his existing WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, thus becoming the first boxer in nearly 25 years to hold all four heavyweight titles simultaneously. Grateful and proud, Usyk said, “Thank you so much to my team. It’s a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It’s a great time, it’s a great day.” When asked about a rematch, he confidently responded, “Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch.”
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Tyson Fury had never lost a pro fight in 16 years
The historic fight saw Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, overcoming Fury in what can be described as a battle of two halves. The atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena, which initially lacked excitement during the undercard, became electric as the main event drew near. A crowd of 20,000, including celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo, eagerly anticipated the showdown.
Usyk made a striking entrance in a traditional all-green Ukrainian outfit, exuding the demeanor of a warrior. In contrast, Fury entered the ring with his usual flair, singing and dancing to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero.” The British heavyweight entertained the crowd, especially the 2,500 British fans, by goading Usyk as he headed to the ring.
As the fight commenced, Usyk quickly landed a solid left hook, pushing Fury into a corner, which the Gypsy King dismissed with a laugh. Fury responded strongly in the second round with two powerful uppercuts to Usyk’s midsection. His trainer, SugarHill Steward, encouraged more body shots, and Fury complied, leveraging his height and reach advantage.
The sixth round saw Fury delivering a staggering uppercut to Usyk, with former champions like Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield watching from the audience. Usyk, known for his slow starts, began to gain momentum in the sixth round, finding success with his left hand. By the eighth round, Usyk was catching Fury with multiple left hands, leading to a dazed Fury staggering around the ring and into the ropes, where he was given a 10 count before the bell rang.
The fight, far from being a tactical chess match, lived up to its pre-fight hype. In the eleventh round, Usyk landed another bruising left hand on Fury. As the twelfth round began, the fighters touched gloves, signaling mutual respect and the understanding that the outcome was still undecided. Usyk’s spirited performance in the final round likely secured his victory.
Despite October’s underwhelming performance against debutant Francis Ngannou, Fury proved he was still a formidable and fit competitor, controlling the early parts of this match. However, his chance to become an undisputed champion may not come soon again, as the IBF plans to strip Usyk of their title unless he faces their mandatory challenger next.
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Usyk now holds the WBA, IBF, WBO & WBC heavyweight titles
Fury, reflecting on the match, said, “We’ll go back, rest up. I believe I won the fight but I’m not going to sit and cry and make excuses. We’ll run it again.” While Fury may privately nurse his wounds, Usyk’s unyielding will and mental toughness prevailed in the Middle East, allowing him to leave the ring draped in all four heavyweight belts.
The heavyweight world title is considered the most coveted prize in boxing, and Usyk, who once competed as a middleweight as an amateur, demonstrated that size is not always the deciding factor. His victory cements his legacy and propels him into the conversation of being an all-time great.