Tyson Fury Loses to Oleksandr Usyk in Split-Decision Thriller
Historic Victory for Usyk
In a dramatic night in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury suffered a split-decision defeat as Oleksandr Usyk became boxing's first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion. The Briton started strong but was saved by the bell in the ninth round after an Usyk onslaught.
Tense Scorecard Reveal
The scorecards read 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 for Fury. This marked Fury's first loss in his 16-year professional career, but a rematch is already planned for later this year.
Fury's Perspective on the Fight
"I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority," Fury said in the ring. "It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I'll be back."
Usyk's Triumph and Gratitude
Usyk, who now adds the WBC belt to his WBA, WBO, and IBF collection, remains unbeaten and is the first boxer in almost 25 years to become the sole heavyweight world champion. "Thank you so much to my team. It's a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It's a great time, it's a great day," Usyk said, expressing readiness for a rematch.
A Battle of Two Halves
Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, proved his mettle in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. Despite a lackluster atmosphere for the undercard, the main event energized the 20,000-strong crowd, including famous faces like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dramatic Ninth Round and Final Rounds
The ninth round was pivotal as Usyk found his rhythm and landed a barrage of punches that left Fury staggering. Although the fight was not the tactical chess match some expected, it lived up to the pre-fight hype.
Usyk's Determination and Legacy
Usyk’s determination and mental toughness shone through, securing him the WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBC heavyweight titles. Fury, despite his loss, showed he is still a formidable competitor.
Future Prospects and Rematch
While a rematch is in the works for October, it might not be for all four belts due to IBF's mandatory challenger requirements. "We'll go back, rest up. I believe I won the fight but I'm not going to sit and cry and make excuses. We'll run it again," Fury said, showing readiness for another bout.
