Oleksandr Usyk Beats Tyson Fury To Become Undisputed Heavyweight Championship [Highlights}

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by a split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, a title last held by Lennox Lewis.

Fury was nearly knocked out in the ninth round as he received a standing count and Usyk secured the win with scores of 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 in Saudi Arabia, adding the WBC title to his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.

The fight turned dramatically in the ninth round when Usyk landed a powerful left hook on Fury’s jaw, making the 6’9″ Fury stagger. Usyk continued to attack, pushing Fury into the ropes.

Fury could barely stand and leaned into the ropes, prompting referee Mark Nelson to give a 10 count, thinking the ropes kept Fury up. The round ended, saving Fury from more punishment.

Fury started strong, looking better than he had in a long time. Boxing hadn’t seen an undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years, and this fight between Fury and Usyk was to decide the first champion of the four-belt era.

Despite the significance, Fury showboated early on, shimmying in the first round and hiding his hands behind his back in the second. He landed jabs and occasional right hands to Usyk’s body, ending the second round with a solid uppercut.

Usyk, unfazed by Fury’s size, landed a strong left cross early on and continued to hit Fury with straight shots.  In the third round, Usyk advanced as his supporters cheered.

Fury avoided him in the fourth, but when cornered, Usyk unleashed a flurry of punches, forcing Fury to dodge.

Fury attacked Usyk’s body when he found space, and in the sixth round, a right hand to Usyk’s head forced him to back off, gaining the crowd’s support.

Fury dominated the seventh round, but Usyk reminded him of his challenge with a left cross.  In the eighth round, Fury hit Usyk with hooks, but Usyk pushed forward, struggling to get past Fury’s reach.

The fight’s tone changed in the ninth when Usyk hurt Fury. In the final round, Usyk continued to press with a lead hook, but Fury fought back to take the fight the distance.

The judges’ scores were 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk, with one judge scoring it 114-113 for Fury. Fury, 35, lost for the first time in his 16-year career and will have a chance for a rematch later this year.

“I believe I won most of the rounds. I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them,” Tyson Fury said.

“His country is at war, so people are siding with them. I won that fight in my opinion. We’ll run it back in October. I’m not making excuses. It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I’ll be back.”

Usyk now holds the WBC belt along with his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. The 37-year-old remains unbeaten and is the first undisputed heavyweight champion in almost 25 years.

“Thank you to my team. This is a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country,” Usyk said.

“My people will be happy, this is a big win for my country and for the soldiers defending it. Dad, I love you. I can, you told me I can. I’m ready for a rematch.”

Watch the highlight below:

KanyiDaily recalls that a former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou had insisted that he won his boxing battle against Tyson Fury, despite a split result in favour of the Briton.