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: Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Cacace races across the ring, he couldn’t wait for this fourth round.
But Cordina with the counter, what a response, this one has caught fire and isn’t over yet, despite Cacace dominating the third.
His head has cleared, front foot and pushing out the jab, Cordina now snatching the centre of the ring.
Cacace to the body, this is an exhausting pace, but Cordina has survived.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Oh my word, can you believe this? What a punch, what a combination, Cordina is in BIG TROUBLE!
Cacace with a barrage of big shots in the third round, speed, volume... Cordina rocked, and DOWN GOES CORDINA!
Cacace senses victory, Cordina grabs on, wrestling across the ring. This is remarkable.
The bell saves Cordina, incredible stuff, what a round! The champion is in all sorts of bother here. Remarkable.
It was a beautiful left hook that landed, one of 14 “effective punches” in that round, to Cordina’s zero.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Those long leavers from Cacace posing a problem for Cordina.
But Cordina explodes forward as the pace dips. This tempo suits the champion, he can pick his moments.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Now this could be a cracker, Anthony Cacace comes to the ring, he takes on Joe Cordina.
The IBF World Super Feather title is on the line, ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries rings out loud at the Kingdom Arena.
The Irishman awaits the Welsh champion in perhaps his final chance to clinch a world title.
Cordina’s turn now... ‘Delilah’ by Tom Jones ensures another fine ring walk.
Eddie Hearn is in the ring to greet his fighter, too, with fans streaming into the arena now, the atmosphere is starting to liven up a little.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Frampton insists many Brits want Ukrainian to win
Carl Frampton believes “icon” Oleksandr Usyk will be a popular pick for many British boxing fans, despite facing a Briton in Tyson Fury.
Frampton believes the Ukrainian has a huge fanbase globally and could convince British fans to go against their own.
Evander Holyfield has stepped into Tyson Fury’s dressing room, which is now packed with about 20 team members.
Fury leaps to his feet and greets the legendary heavyweight, posing for a picture after being wished good luck.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Alex Krassyuk on Oleksandr Usyk’s mental state
"It's not the final destination, it's one more step to greatness. This man deserves to be in that position. He already deserved it, for his hard work, how he treats his team, boxing in general, it's in his heart. It's special,” says Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk.
“He’s inspired, it’s the night for him, he’s done his job in training. It’s time to get in the ring and enjoy what he loves doing best.
“After seven months of very hard work, he’s free. He’ll come and do his job, what could be better? He’s so relaxed and inspired. Motivated. But none of those things are about his mental state, his mental state is usual, within 11 or 12 years, I never saw Usyk nervous.”
Fury vs Usyk LIVE
Now then, what next for Kabayel?
Joseph Parker has been mentioned, the Kiwi would be another fine test and that contest would add to the ‘tournament’ style schedule in the heavyweight division.
Now 25-0, Kabayel is a big player in this division and the mandatory for Fury’s WBC belt, well, Fury’s for the time being, Usyk might snatch that tonight, of course.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua sit together ringside
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Agit Kabayel KO Frank Sanchez
Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua, sitting together, deep in conversation ringside.
Meanwhile, Kabayel continues to chip away, a straight right following every other jab now too.
This is a career-best performance from Kabayel.
The fighter out of Bochum surely senses a finish, Sanchez is tired in the seventh and vulnerable. He skips away, brushing his back along the ropes, but Kabayel catches him.
He can’t escape for long though, DOWN GOES SANCHEZ!
What a sickening shot, slashing down low to the body, Sanchez had to take a knee.
Kabayel chopping away immediately after the pair come together again, DOWN GOES SANCHEZ AGAIN!
This time he’s counted out, it’s all over!
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez
Steven Gerrard, manager of Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, has arrived and is backing Tyson Fury: “I’m a big boxing fan, these big nights in Saudi, I’ve got to be here.
“Tyson all day long. The size, the length, what he’s done before, for me it’s Tyson Fury all day long.”
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