Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a landmark event for the world of boxing, Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine emerged victorious over Britain’s Tyson Fury by split decision (115–112, 113–114, 114–113) after 12 intense rounds at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday.
Usyk added Fury’s World Boxing Council (WBC) title to his collection of heavyweight championship belts from the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO). This triumph makes him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the first to achieve this feat in the four-belt era.
"It’s a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country, for history," Usyk expressed after the fight. "It’s a great day." The Ukrainian champion dominated the middle rounds, outscoring Fury in the eighth, ninth, and tenth rounds. A pivotal moment came in Round 9 when Usyk landed 14 punches, causing Fury to slump into the ropes.
Despite a spirited comeback from Fury in the final round, where he garnered unanimous favor from the judges, it wasn’t enough to overturn Usyk’s lead. The match concluded with Usyk making history and solidifying his status as one of boxing’s greats.
This bout not only captivated boxing enthusiasts worldwide but also marked a significant moment in sports history, unifying the heavyweight division and setting a new benchmark for future champions.
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Usyk beats Fury to unite heavyweight titles, first in four belts era
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