In a dramatic encounter in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk emerged as boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion after defeating Britain’s Tyson Fury by split decision.
The fight saw Fury, who had an undefeated record over a 16-year career, suffer his first professional loss. The scorecards showed a close fight, with two judges favoring Usyk (115-112 and 114-113) and one judge scoring in favour of Fury (114-113).
Fury started strong but was significantly challenged by Usyk’s comeback, particularly in the ninth round where Fury was saved by the bell after a series of powerful blows from Usyk. Despite Fury’s confidence in his performance and claims of victory, Usyk’s emotional response to his win highlighted the significance of his achievement.
Usyk now holds the WBC belt along with his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles and remains unbeaten. Both fighters have expressed readiness for a rematch, though the IBF title may not be on the line due to mandatory challenger obligations.
The fight was not just a showcase of skill but also a dramatic event, with celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo in attendance and Fury’s theatrical entrance contrasting with Usyk’s focused approach. The match ended with Usyk draped in all four championship belts, proving that size doesn’t always dictate success in the heavyweight division.
