Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Fight reaction and undercard results after split decision decides heavyweight thriller
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk produced an undisputed heavyweight classic in Saudi Arabia which split the judges after 12 gripping rounds
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
Usyk (22-0) added Fury‘s WBC title to his own WBA, IBF and IBO belts with a spectacular late rally highlighted by a ninth-round knockdown in a back-and-forth bout between two previously unbeaten heavyweight champs. Two judges favored Usyk, 115-112 and 114-113, while the third gave it to Fury, 114-113.
Usyk started quickly, but then had to survive while the confident, charismatic Fury dominated the middle rounds. Usyk rallied in the final rounds, just as the Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist has done so many times in his career, taking control with a dominant eighth round and nearly stopping Fury in the ninth.
Usyk hurt Fury (34-1-1) with a left hand and eventually sent him sprawling into a corner in the final seconds of the round, getting credit for a knockdown right before Fury was saved by the bell. Fury made it to the 10th, but he struggled to mount a consistent attack after nearly getting stopped.
Fury kissed Usyk on the head after the final bell. The fighters are likely to have a rematch in Saudi Arabia in the fall.
Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis held the honor for five months in 1999 and 2000. He is also now the lineal heavyweight champion by beating Fury, who beat Wladimir Klitschko to earn that distinction in 2015.
Relive Fury vs Usyk, the undercard results and all the reaction below.
Who will Usyk fight next? Joshua and other potential opponents
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set for a rematch later this year after the Ukrainian beat the Britonto become undisputed heavyweight champion on Saturday.
Fury carried the WBC title into Riyadh, while Usyk entered the Saudi city as unified champion, but it was the latterwho left as the division’s first undisputed king in 24 years.
Not since Lennox Lewis in 2000 had a heavyweight held all the major gold, but Usykemulated that feat with a split-decision win over Fury, who was previously undefeated as a professional – like Saturday’s winner.
Fury and Usyk are contracted to fight again, and in an interview published by ESPN last week, Saudi adviser Turki Al-Sheikh revealed 12 and 13 October as the potential dates for the rematch.
Who will Usyk fight next? Anthony Joshua and other potential opponents
The Ukrainian beat Tyson Fury via split decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion on Saturday
Anthony Joshua reacts to Tyson Fury’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua believes the scorecards went the right way as Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk beat Fury 115-112, 113-114, 114-111 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000.
The result saw Usyk, 37, add to his undisputed cruiserweight triumph and Olympic gold medal, while keeping the Ukrainian unbeaten. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Fury suffered his first professional loss.
And the scorecards went the right way, according to Fury and Usyk’s heavyweight rival Joshua. The Briton’s reaction was caught by TNT Sports after the final bell and he immediately replied “Usyk” when he was asked who he won the fight.
Anthony Joshua reacts to Tyson Fury’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
The undisputed title fight went to the scorecards as Usyk was crowned heavyweight champion of the world
Tyson Fury clarifies claims judges sided with Oleksandr Usyk because of Ukraine war
Tyson Fury suggested “it was what it was” after he appeared to accuse the judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win their fight because Ukraine is “at war”.
Fury’s effort to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion ended in defeat by split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The scorecards read 115-112 to Usyk, 114-113 to Usyk, and 114-113 to Fury.
Fury was asked to clarify comments he made in the ring in the “immediate and emotional aftermath” of the decision.
“It was what it was, one of the judges had me winning, two of them didn’t... can’t really say much about it,” he said.
Eddie Hearn reacts to Tyson Fury’s defeat by Oleksandr Usyk: ‘He was absolutely gone!’
Eddie Hearn has said “the right man won” after Oleksandr Usyk earned a split-decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday.
Usyk beat Fury 115-112, 113-114, 114-111 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000.
The result saw Usyk, 37, add to his undisputed cruiserweight triumph and Olympic gold medal, while keeping the Ukrainian unbeaten. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Fury suffered his first professional loss.
And the scorecards went the right way, according to Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who said: “I thought Usyk won the fight.
Eddie Hearn reacts to Tyson Fury’s defeat by Usyk: ‘He was absolutely gone!’
Usyk outpointed Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion, but the fight could have been stopped when the Briton was hurt in round nine
The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings after Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
The boxing landscape is arguably as intriguing as it has ever been, with Oleksandr Usyk’s epic victory over Tyson Fury one of the classic fights of the modern era.
The past several years have seen heavyweight epics for the ages between Fury and Deontay Wilder, they have seen Saul “Canelo” Alvarez establish himself as the face of the sport in the eyes of many fans, and they have seen frequent displays of technical brilliance from champions in lighter weight classes.
There have been upsets, title unifications, and there has been no shortage of drama – Anthony Joshua’s post-fight rant after a second loss to Usyk stands out as a prime example.
All of these fights and results have factored into The Independent’s own top 10, pound-for-pound rankings for men’s boxers, to be updated monthly.
While there is no exact science to putting together lists such as this, a number of factors have been considered in making the rankings, including each fighter’s overall record, recent record, level of activity and calibre of opposition.
Tyson Fury accuses judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win because Ukraine is ‘at war’
Tyson Fury accused the judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk because the Ukrainian’s nation is “at war”, after Usyk outpointed the Briton to win the undisputed heavyweight titles.
Usyk was a split-decision winner against Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (18 May). The scorecards read 115-112 to Usyk, 114-113 to Usyk, and 114-113 to Fury.
In the ninth round, Fury was arguably lucky not to see the fight waved off when Usyk hurt him badly. Usyk, 37, had Fury, 35, out on his feet, but the referee gave the Briton a strange standing count – potentially saving him from a knockout loss. Yet Fury feels he was denied a rightful victory.
Tyson Fury accuses judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win because Ukraine is ‘at war’
Usyk beat Fury via split decision in Riyadh, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000
Eddie Hearn reveals Anthony Joshua reaction to Fury vs Usyk
“He thought Usyk won, he said, ‘Usyk won it easy,’” Hearn told IFLTV before pulling a face when he confirmed to Joshua his own opinion, “I had it quite close.
“Again, scoring is subjective. I thought Fury boxed fantastically well in the first six rounds. I thought he was well on his way to boxing to a stoppage or a decision but Usyk is incredible.”
Eddie Hearn reacts to Oleksandr Usyk defeating Tyson Fury
"I thought Usyk won the fight,” Hearn told IFLTV. “I thought it was close, I struggled to give Usyk of the first six. I thought Fury was in control and looked fantastic, seven, eight, nine, was obviously massive, how he survived I don't know? In an undisputed fight, when the guy doesn’t touch the canvas, I don’t think so. But he showed so much bottle to come back. Not sure that, to compose himself into 10. 10, 11, 12... I thought 12 was quite close. I guess when you look back on that, you score it 115-113 to Usyk, some had it wider, I’m not sure anybody had it for Fury. I thought the right man won.
“They’re talking about Usyk retiring? I don’t think so. I think he’ll fancy his chances. I think Fury has to switch it up on the front foot. I thought Usyk looked a little bit tired at times. Usyk is also a genius. He’s so undersized, the disadvantage against a man of that size, to overcome that, you’re talking one of the best fighters of his generation.”
Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s plan and if Fury vs Usyk result changes it
"Not really, this is their night tonight. We want to regain the world heavyweight title,” Hearn told IFLTV.
“So whoever has got it, has got it. The rematch looks to be set for October. Is that Wembley? We'll see what happens on 1 June."
Is Oleksandr Usyk pound-by-pound No 1 in the world?
Terence Crawford has made a case for Oleksandr Usyk to be the pound-for-pound No 1 fighter in the world.
Usually heavyweights do not appear on the mythical list of the sport’s best fighters, but with a previous reign at cruiserweight, Crawford has tipped up Usyk to top the rankings.
“Man y’all better put some respect on Usyk,” said the American.
“He is definitely a candidate for No 1 P4P fighter in the world. I’m no hater. He beat the man that beat the man in a bigger division, giving what he’s already done. Salute brother!”
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