Usyk Triumphs Over Fury In Historic Battle To Become Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

Oleksandr Usyk delivered a spectacular performance on Saturday night, defeating Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

The judges scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while one judge had it 114-113 for Fury, resulting in a split-decision victory for the Ukrainian.

Held at the Kingdom Arena, the fight was a tale of two halves. Fury dominated the early rounds, but Usyk made a remarkable comeback in the latter part of the fight, particularly in the ninth round, where his flurry of punches left Fury, also known as the Gypsy King, struggling.

After the final bell, both fighters displayed mutual respect, exchanging kisses and hugs as they awaited the decision. However, Fury's demeanor changed when Usyk was declared the winner. In an interview, Fury suggested that "people are siding with Usyk because of the Ukraine war."

The bout started energetically, with both men coming out strong. Fury tried to keep Usyk at bay with powerful body shots, but Usyk's agile footwork and level changes allowed him to close the distance effectively.

Fury enjoyed himself in the opening round, gesturing to the crowd, but Usyk managed to catch him while he was on the ropes. Fury sought the uppercut in the second round, connecting just before the bell, which Usyk endured well but definitely felt.

Usyk retaliated with a right-left combination in the second, although a body shot from Fury made him wince. The round ended with Usyk landing several punches while Fury was cornered, leading to complaints about a punch to the back of the head.

A clash of heads in the fourth round worried fans about a potential cut for Fury, but he seemed unfazed, even performing some Muhammad Ali shuffles. By the fifth round, Fury appeared to be gaining the upper hand, landing two low blows that Usyk protested and cutting him above his right eye.

The sixth round saw Fury excite the crowd with an uppercut that wobbled Usyk. However, Usyk survived and began mounting an impressive comeback by the eighth round, managing to close the distance and operate on different levels.

The pivotal moment came in the ninth round when Fury was saved by the bell—or perhaps the referee—after going down from Usyk’s relentless assault. Usyk continued his dominance in the tenth round, setting the pace and keeping Fury on the defensive.

Both fighters showed signs of fatigue as they entered the final round, having given their all in what was an excellent fight. The judges ultimately awarded the victory to Usyk, with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, despite one judge scoring it 114-113 for Fury.

Fury expressed his frustration after the fight, claiming, "people are siding with Usyk because of the Ukraine war," and insisted that he won the fight. Usyk’s trainer, Alexander Krassyuk, countered by saying that the referee robbed Usyk of a knockout in the ninth round, though he praised Usyk's performance.

Fans took to social media to support Fury, with some claiming he was wronged by the judges. "Tyson Fury got robbed," one fan posted, while another wrote, "Fury 115 Usyk 144 - Fury robbed but Usyk brilliant!"

The event drew many sports celebrities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Joshua, and Neymar. Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, was a focal point of attention, sitting alongside Joshua and interacting with Neymar before the fight.

In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport before the fight, Usyk spoke about his desire to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. His charity, the Usyk Foundation, is fundraising to purchase 50 ambulances to save lives amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

"My everyday routine begins with picking up the phone and reading the news about how many rockets have landed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities today," Usyk said. "Every morning I check to see if all of my friends and loved ones are alive and pray for their safety. And this is how millions of Ukrainians start their day."

Usyk's victory is not just a personal triumph but a symbol of resilience and hope for his country, inspiring many with his dedication and spirit both inside and outside the ring.