In a dramatic showdown in Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk achieved a historic victory over Tyson Fury, becoming boxing's first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
The bout was marked by high tension and pivotal moments, culminating in a split-decision win for the Ukrainian fighter.
The match began with Fury displaying strong form, but the tide turned dramatically in the ninth round. Usyk's relentless attack led to Fury receiving a standing 10 count, narrowly escaping a knockout as the bell rang.
The judges' scorecards reflected the close nature of the fight: two judges scored in favor of Usyk, 115-112 and 114-113, while a third judge gave a 114-113 decision to Fury. T
his marked the first defeat in Fury's 16-year professional career. However, a rematch is already in the works, offering Fury a chance at redemption later this year.
“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority,” Fury asserted in the ring, expressing his dissatisfaction with the judges' decision. “It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I'll be back.”
With this victory, Usyk adds the WBC belt to his collection, which already includes the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. At 37 years old, Usyk remains unbeaten and has now claimed a place in history as the first boxer in nearly 25 years to hold all major heavyweight titles simultaneously.
“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. “Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch.”