Oleksandr Usyk found a second wind to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion in his fight against Tyson Fury.
Fury dominated the first half of the fight, dancing his way around the ring by showboating whenever he could for the Riyadh crowd. Usyk remained focused and made a magnificent comeback in the second half of the fight, forcing the referee to issue a count to Fury the ropes held him up in the ninth round.
The Brit somehow stayed in the fight but was unable to ever regain the momentum he found in the earlier rounds. Usyk was disciplined until the final bell and did enough to get the nod on two judges’ scorecards after the final bell, adding the final world title he needed to become undisputed.
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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns in a huge bout on May 18 with each fighter attempting to etch their name in boxing history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the pair will go head to head for the prestigious WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.
Usyk ‘will be ready’ for rematch
K2 Promotions’ Alexander Krassyuk has insisted there is “no doubt” Oleksandr Usyk will be ready for a rematch with Tyson Fury in October.
The clause for a rematch later this year has been well documented and Fury already stated in his own post-fight press conference that he would be “back” for that fight.
There were reports circulating after the fight claiming Usyk had suffered a broken jaw. But Krassyuk told ESPN there is “no doubt” Usyk would be ready to go again in October per plans.
RECAP: Fury appears to blame loss on Ukraine war
Tyson Fury appeared to blame his loss to Oleksandr Usyk on Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The British heavyweight was beaten in the Undisputed clash via split decision. The judges scored the fight 115-112, 113-114 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk.
Reacting after the final bell, Fury said: “I believe I won that fight, I think he won a few if those rounds but I won the majority of them. His country is at at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.
Klitschko surprised by Fury
Wladimir Kitschko, who lost to Tyson Fury back in 2015, was surprised when Tyson Fury refused to go down in the ninth round.
He told DAZN: “It was very difficult to get close due to the size and mobility of Tyson Fury. In one word, Oleksandr Usyk changed from one to 100. Unbelievavble. I’m surprised Fury got up. He has the power but his power is his heart. I’m really proud tonight.
“He didn’t get distracted form all of Tyson Fury’s tricks. He waited for the opportunity to make full contact and he did it. Tyson Fury showed the heart of a lion and he recovered fast. I’m so proud of my man.”
What did you make of the fight?
Did Oleksandr Usyk deserve to win?
Should it have been a draw?
Is Tyson Fury’s time at the top of boxing over?
Parker calls Fury a ‘warrior’
Former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker was full of praise for Tyson Fury after Saturday’s fight.
He told DAZN: “What a fight to watch, I was on the edge of my seat. Usyk set the tone and pushed him back from the beginning. Tyson Fury is a warrior and he always finds a way to get back up. He took some big shots off Usyk.”
Eddie Hearn’s thoughts
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn believes Oleksandr Usyk deserved the win. He told DAZN: “For me, it was a draw or Usyk by a point or two maximum. It was a mismatch early on but Usyk kept coming. What a fight.”
Hearn added: “You have the mark the brilliance of Usyk. He beat every champion at cruiserweight. He came up and beat AJ (Joshua) twice and now beat Fury. The best heavyweight in the world right now, fact. There’s adjustments that can be made.
“Fury was never out of the fight. He was dominating. The rematch is a big, big fight now. This man is going to be difficult to beat.”
Usyk breaks down in tears after win
Oleksandr Usyk broke down in tears whilst speaking about his father after beating Tyson Fury.
Usyk didn’t speak to reporters for long as he was left in tears whilst speaking about whether his father, who sadly passed away in 2012, visited him spiritually before his fight with Fury.
“I miss my father,” Usyk said. “I said to my father ‘Hey, listen. You live there, I live here.’ Please, no coming for me. I love you. For me it’s hard when my father is coming for me because I remember all my life, I know he’s here.”
The Ukrainian also said he doesn’t want to talk about boxing after spending nine months in training camp to prepare for his fight with Fury.
“My start was October 2023, November, December. Nine months I work, I missed New Year. I missed the birthday of my son, I missed the birthday of my other son. I missed the birthday of my daughter, I missed the birth of my daughter. I missed all of my family holidays, all the time training. My focus was only this fight, now I’m happy. I want to go back home,” he said.
Usyk doesn’t care about not getting KO
When asked about whether he was ‘robbed’ of a KO in the ninth round, Usyk said he doesn’t care as he won the fight.
The Ukrainian also said he doesn’t want to talk about boxing. “My start was October 2023, November, December. Nine months I work, I missed New Year. I missed birthday of my son, I missed birthday of my other son. I missed birthday of my daughter, I missed the birth of my daughter,” he said.
“I missed all of my family holidays, all the time training. My focus was only this fight, now I’m happy. I want to go back home and go to my church and pray.”
Usyk NOT at hospital, holding post-fight press conference
Usyk is NOT at hospital despite some reports, he is holding his post-fight press conference now…
Fury appears to blame Ukraine war for loss
Fury appeared to blame his loss to Usyk in their undisputed clash on Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The judges scored the fight 115-112, 113-114 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk after the final bell. Fury disagreed with the split decision and pointed to the ongoing war in Usyk’s home country as one of the reasons for his loss.
“I believe I won that fight, I think he won a few if those rounds but I won the majority of them. His country is at at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.
‘Usyk was ROBBED of KO’ says manager
Usyk’s manager Alex Krassyuk believes the fight should have been stopped in the ninth round. “With no disrespect to the referee I think the stole the KO in the ninth. Anyway, it was a tremendous performance and I hope to see it more in the rematch,” he said.
Fury believes he won
“I believe I won that fight, I think he won a few if those rounds but I won the majority of them. His country as at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion. I’ve had a split decision loss with a little man. Good luck, God bless you,” Fury said after his loss.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 12
HERE WE GO! Three minutes left. Usyk lands again with the left and Fury responds with a big right hand. Clash of heads and they touch gloves. Big right hand lands for Fury and Usyk responds with a right hand of his own. Good uppercut from Fury, he puts his hands behind his back to showboat. WE GO TO THE JUDGES!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 11
Lots of jabs from Fury to start the round and Usyk comes over the top with an overhand left. Usyk walking down Fury with his hands down and the Brit finally throws an uppercut for the first time since being hurt. A good left hand from Usyk to finish the round, three minutes left to go….
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 10
Fury looks to have his feet back under him but he’s not throwing many punches at the start of this round. Usyk with some showboating of his own and Fury looks to have his witts about him now. A very close round…
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 9
Straight right hand for Fury and he digs in some hooks to the body whilst in the clinch. Two good left hands land in quick succession for Usyk! BIG LEFT HAND FOR USYK AND FURY IS OUT ON HIS FEET! The Brit is given a standing count! Fury is saved by the bell!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 8
Fury starts strong but Usyk matches his oace with two good left hands. Usyk complaining to the referee about another low blow from Fury. Overhand left from Usyk lands and the Ukrainian is having a better round. Fury’s nose is covered in blood!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 7
Some good jabs from Usyk in this round and he sens the sweat spraying off Fury’s head with a left hand. Another good uppercut from Fury pings Usyk’s head back! Another good left hand from Usyk and Fury smiles in recognition of it, a better response from the Ukrainian.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 6
Another good body shot from Fury to start the round and Usyk will need a big response in this stanza. Good uppercut from Fury lands and Usyk takes it well. USYK IS HURT! What a flurry from Fury! Usyk recovers well but Fury had him on wobbly legs.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 5
Smooth flurry from Fury to the body and he lands an uppercut too for good measure. Usyk complains about a punch on his belt line from Fury. The Brit is having his best round of the fight so far and has upped the output. Usyk bites on a feint and Fury puts himself into a corner at the end of the round, landing a big one-two whilst circling out.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 4
Double and triple jabs from Fury. Usyk is capitalising whenever he puts Fury on the ropes. Fury lands a good right hand and lets Usyk know about it by showboating after. Brief half to the action as the referee warns Usyk for leading with his head. More showboating from Fury whilst in the corner, he’s loving this!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 3
Lots of jabs and feints from Fury in this round. Usyk is walking Fury down and catches the Brit with his back to the ropes. Body shot lands from Fury lands on Usyk’s belt line. Usyk punishes Fury for getting lazy and then complains to the referee for a punch to the back of the head by Fury.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 2
Usyk comes out firing at the start of the second round and catches Fury by surprise. Fury showboating again by putting his hands behind his back but Usyk remaine focused. Good body shot from Fury and he follows up with a one-two! Usyk backs him a corner and Fury digs to the body again, this time with a right hook. Big uppercut from Fury to end the round!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round 1
Usyk opens with two jab sto the body and the Brit fires back with some good body work of his own. Fury backs himself into the corner and showboats for the crowd, but Usyk refuses to play up to his antics. Good overhand left from Usyk in the final 20 seconds.
