Oleksandr Usyk became boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion with a thrilling split decision victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk seized control of the pulsating fight in the ninth round, when he came close to finishing Fury. The Briton survived a standing 10 count and made it to the end of the fight, only to lose the decision. Usyk won 115-112 and 114-113 on two scorecards while the third judge saw it as 114-113 against him.
The decision saw 35-year-old Fury lose for the first time in a 16-year professional career. But he will get an immediate opportunity for revenge with a rematch planned for later this year.
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury said in the ring afterwards. “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. The good little man got the decision.”
Oleksandr Usyk: ‘This is a big win for Ukraine’
I feel good. A lot of people prayed for me, I love you. I’m very happy.
“My people will be very happy I think, it’s a big win, not only for me, it’s a big win for my country, for soldiers who now defend my country.
“I think my father now is watching over me and is very happy. Dad, I love you. I can, you told me I can.”
Tyson Fury: ‘I believe I won that fight’
Tyson Fury has claimed he won the fight and said the judges sided with Oleksandr Usyk because “his country is at war”.
He tells DAZN: “I believe I won that fight. His country is at war so people are siding with someone whose country is at war.
“I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them.
“Make no mistake I won that fight and I’ll be back. We go back to our families and we run it back in October.
“I not going to sit here and cry and make excuses.”
Oleksandr Usyk reacts to his victory
“Thank you so much for my team. It’s a big opportunity for my family, for my country.”
Result: Oleksandr Usyk def Tyson Fury via SD
We go to the scorecards.
115-112 Usyk. 114-113 Fury. 114-113 Usyk.
Oleksandr Usyk is boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Source: nytime.com
