OLEKSANDR Usyk became boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion after successfully edging Tyson Fury in a split-point decision in Saudi Arabia.
With this result, Fury has just lost for the first time in a 16-year professional career while Usyk continues to maintain his perfect streak in almost 25 years as the sport’s sole heavyweight world champion.
The thirty-seven-year-old Usyk winning the WBC belt from Fury, also means he has now added to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection.
Fury began well but was given a standing 10 count and saved by the bell after an Usyk onslaught in the ninth round.
Usyk had a slow start in the game and was severely hurt by an uppercut in the sixth round as the match seemed to be slipping away from him, before his spectacular comeback in the ninth round.
Although Fury appeared assured of his victory, as they anxiously awaited the reading of the scorecards, but Usyk broke into tears when he was confirmed as the winner.
The scorecards, according to reports, read 115-112 and 114-113 for the Ukrainian, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury.
However, he will get an immediate opportunity for revenge with a rematch planned for later this year.
Speaking after his defeat, Fury said he believed he won the fight. “I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority,” Fury said.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion,” he said.
He also said the decision was one of ‘dafted decisions in boxing,’ noting that he will be back.
Meanwhile, Usyk appeared unbothered in his post match interview, having announced that he’s ready for rematch.
“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.
“I am ready for a rematch,”he noted.
The ICIR gathered that with his latest win, the Ukraine’s Usyk joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as the undisputed heavyweight champion, the first since boxing recognised four major belts in the 2000s.
Among the crowd of 20,000 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena were the famous Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr., two of the finest football players.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M