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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Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 7
Usyk in trouble and needs to change the momentum here, this is just how Fury wants it.
A good left hook bounces off Fury’s head. That’s a rare success for him though. Fury’s jab is now active though and forcing Usyk to spend plenty of energy. What a beautiful right uppercut from Fury.
Usyk with the overhand left though, excellent shot, but he’s exhausted and his right eye is bloodied and cut open.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 6
Ringside analyst Woodhall has Fury up 48-37.
Usyk is getting up nice and close, a high guard, but Fury looks to push him back with a swipe to the body.
Fury shakes Usyk, a heavy shot and the Ukrainian is slowing. The uppercut to the body and Usyk is in big trouble as he spins away. That is the punch of the fight!
Body shot again from Fury, but Usyk fires back and looks to have recovered. This is eye-catching work from Fury, left, right and another uppercut. Usyk is now bleeding from the nose. Fury now up 59-55 for us.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 5
Fury has thrown 17 body shots through four rounds, Usyk has thrown 60 to the body. Richie Woodhall has this all square at two apiece.
Fury with 171 shots thrown through four rounds, 117 for Usyk. More volume for Fury so far.
Fury to the body, rips one to Usyk’s core and these are starting to pile up. Usyk is complaining about one going too low.
Fury is on top and growing in confidence, the speed and movement is in full flow. Fury relaxing in the corner, then explodes with a one-two off the ropes to close the round. 49-36 to Fury for us, but it could be a shade closer.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 4
A good left hand from Usyk bounces off Fury’s head, sweat scatters across the ring.
Fury with a good uppercut, whipped in. Clowning from Fury, thudding the chest, arms behind the back, the usual tricks.
Usyk rips a combination to the body with Fury in the corner and bouncing away towards safety.
That’s a close one, but Fury takes it for us and builds a small lead. 39-37.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 3
Usyk rushes in now, getting low with plenty of upper-body movement.
Fury in a groove though, on the outside and throwing the jab. It’s a Fury we’ve not seen for sustained periods much in recent years after his more aggressive approach towards the end of the Deontay Wilder triology.
“Usyk, Usyk,” can be heard from ringside.
Fury is having trouble with his nose, pawing at it. But that’s a nice combination from Fury: Jab, straight right. Both fighters have been smart and the pace is quick, not many mistakes yet though. Another close one to score.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 2
Usyk stuck his tongue out at Fury there, his looping shot landed clean but did little damage, perhaps waking Fury up a touch.
Usyk straight out and lands another! Drama!
Usyk is busy, bouncing and showing range and various levels to keep Fury on the outside. A thudding jab to the body and Fury responds with the uppercut to wipe out the room Usyk was working in.
The lateral head movement from Usyk is also making it tricky for Fury to land.
A short story so far: Fury is throwing more, but Usyk is landing more.
A big uppercut from Fury lands to Usyk’s body. Fury popping the jab finally, and as he backs off he lands another uppercut. That was much better in the last minute of that round. This time we edge to Fury in another close one - 19-19.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Round 1
The first bell sounds! Fury rushes out, jabbing and using his left as a range-finder.
Usyk has the southpaw jab but immediately moves in a circle, using his feet. Busy.
A high guard from Usyk, but Fury wraps a shot towards the body of his rival, but is so far on the outside.
Fury popping the jab and looking to catch Usyk coming in, he’ll take a couple of harmless jabs to the body. Fury in the corner, pins himself to the ropes and turns to joke with the crowd, a true showman at work here.
An overhand shot from Usyk lands on the chin! A bit messy as we close out the round, Fury with plenty of bravado. That’s a close round, but Usyk should take the round.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Michael Buffer is now announcing the fighters...
The ring is still packed, but you can barely hear anybody else in the arena, the tension is palpable.
Mark Nelson is the third man in the ring. He’ll have a key role to play. Undefeated v undefeated, then.
“Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
It’s Tyson Fury’s ring walk and we’re straight into a Barry White tune.
Now Bonnie Tyler! Fury is skipping, singing loudly, “I need a hero” echoes around the arena.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates
Out walks Usyk, with a fine hat, the atmosphere has gone up several levels.
Usyk’s team follow with his compatriot Vasyl Zhadan's song, 'Brothers', bouncing around the arena.
Usyk bows in the corner, says a prayer, in appears to be in the zone.
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