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.
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Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury by split decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
Usyk edged Fury on the cards after a thrilling fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, handing the Briton the first loss of his professional career.
The result at the Kingdom Arena kept Usyk unbeaten and saw the Ukrainian add the WBC belt to his WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
Usyk defeats Fury by split decision to become undisputed champion
Fury was forced to take a count in the ninth in a heavyweight classic in Riyadh
Fury confirms Usyk rematch in October
“I won that fight in my opinion,” Fury says.
“We go back to our families and we run it back in October. For sure, we'll rest up, then get back on it in October, I thought I won the fight but I'm not going to cry and make excuses.”
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Usyk: “Thank you to my country, Ukraine!”
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Ukrainian wins by split decision!
Manuel Oliver Palomo has it 115-112 Usyk, Craig Metcalfe has it 114-113 to Fury and Mike Fitzgerald has it 114-113 to... Usyk!
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Undisputed fight goes to the scorecards
Both men come together with the canvas covered with so many people now in the ring. There’s an amicable conclusion to the undisputed fight. Now we wait for the scorecards.
It’s a split decision, says Michael Buffer to somebody ringside.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 12
This is close, the draw is certainly in play! So many close rounds, but we think this is 105-103 to Usyk entering the 12th round.
Fury still on the outside, floating in and out of range, while Usyk launches a left. Fury able to come back with a right, better in this round from the Briton.
But there’s Usyk, coming in with another fine combination. Both men touch gloves after a clash of heads with a minute left.
Fury nicking this final round for us, it could be crucial, but Usyk with a long right, then the left. Fury with the hands behind his back before a final looping right hook from Usyk, who gets a kiss on the head from his rival at the final bell.
We’ve got it 114-113 to Usyk, but this could go either way, even a draw - which is the result Richie Woodhall has down on his scorecard.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 11
Fury popping out the jab again, this has been a brilliant fight and it’s in the balance as we enter the final six minutes.
Overhand left from Usyk, and again, he complains about Fury’s rabbit punch.
Usyk digs to the body and back Fury back into the corner again. Fury resorts to an uppercut to the body, a punch that at one point appeared to be the route to victory before Usyk rallied.
A remarkable comeback from Fury this to still be in this.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 10
Usyk looking to finish this, Fury pinned to the ropes and takes another big shot.
Usyk now biding his time, waiting for another opportunity. An epic fight now, it’s exploded into life.
A long left catches Fury, he’s backed into his own corner. Trapped. Usyk languid and loose, dancing in front of Fury and giving him some of his own medicine.
Will Fury recover? He has remarkable resilience. Usyk still showboating. But that 10-8 round has flipped the dynamic of this fight and the scorecards you would imagine. Another Usyk round.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 9
Usyk putting the pressure on, this is much better, he’s flicked the switch in this fight and Fury is out of that rhythm he had for several rounds.
A long left hand from Usyk lands on Fury’s chin! A right hook up close also there, then a left, Fury is hurt, the knockout is there surely!
The referee gives Fury the count, he beats it remarkably. But that’s a big round for Usyk, 10-8.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 8
Usyk following Fury and landing, but his heavier opponent is moving away and reducing a lot of the power.
Fury able to tie Usyk up in the corner now. Usyk to the body, but Fury is able to come back and shakes his head after absorbing another combination.
Much busier here and connecting at a better rate in this round.
Fury’s face is bloodied and Usyk has gained plenty of momentum in his best round of the fight. 77-75.
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