Oleksandr Usyk is undisputed heavyweight world champion after beating Tyson Fury

On May 19, 2024

Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed heavyweight world champion after he defeated Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.

The Ukrainian won via split decision to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO belts and win Fury’s WBC title.

The 37-year-old becomes the first heavyweight since Lennox Lewis to unify the division and has thrown the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons in the heavyweight division with him previously defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022.

Fury burst into life in round six as he landed a heavy body shot which hurt Usyk before an uppercut crashed into the chin of the Ukrainian, leaving him in trouble momentarily.

The Brit had been making his mark in the fight in the proceeding rounds after a smart start from Usyk but began to put his man onto the back foot before Usyk bit back by landing a clean left hand at the end of the seventh round.

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Usyk - Fury — Usyk had Fury on the ropes in round nine
(Image: PA)

Fury was caught by a number of heavy shots from Usyk in the eighth round, leaving his face bloodied and visibly stunned as Usyk’s punches landed.

Usyk grasped the fight in the ninth round as a plethora of shots knocked the legs out from below Fury, leaving him falling across the ring and into the ropes. Fury was given a standing count before he was quite literally, saved by the bell.

Both boxers acknowledged the rematch clause and Fury, after claiming that he felt he should have won the fight, called for an immediate rematch and congratulated Usyk on his emotional victory.

“Thank you so much for my my team,” Usyk said. “Thank you so much, my God, Jesus. Mister Excellency, thank you. It’s big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country.”