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.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Mark Chamberlain on a potential fight against Sam Noakes
Chamberlain has commented on a potential fight with Sam Noakes, the unbeaten European lightweight champion, with Carl Frampton stating that he believes it is a “50-50” fight now after that performance.
“Listen, we’re on different paths, it’s quite clear,” Chamberlain tells TNT Sports.
“I should’ve picked up the European title last time. Financially if it makes sense, if Frank will make it, but at the minute I’m doing what I’m doing and loving it.
“I’m top 10 in the WBC, top 10 in the WBA... I’m up there in the ranking, two or three fights away from a world title. We’re on different paths, it’s quite clear.”
Why Fury and Oleksandr Usyk aren’t just fighting for belts and bragging rights
f you think that nine different belts, $100m and bragging rights are the only prizes in Saturday night’s undisputed fight in Saudi Arabia, then you would be wrong.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are competing in the first undisputed heavyweight championship fight since late 1999, and they are fighting for the right to walk in the giant footsteps of sport’s greatest and best-known champions. The heavyweight champion, an undisputed version, is a serious contender for sport’s finest champion.
The heavyweight championship of the world was once known as the richest prize in sport, the champion was the most recognisable face in the sport and, in the case of Muhammad Ali, often the most recognisable man on the planet.
Why Fury and Usyk aren’t just fighting for belts and bragging rights
Once known as the richest prize in sport, winning the undisputed heavyweight championship means entry to an elite pantheon of legends, writes Steve Bunce in Riyadh. Tonight we have two worthy contenders fighting for the one spot
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Mark Chamberlain reacts to crushing first-round victory
"I thought I was in for a really tough night," says Chamberlain, with Frank Warren stating he is three fights away from a world title shot. "This time around [in Riyadh], it was smoother, I knew what to expect.
“I hope to be back in Riyadh and keep pushing on. I just want to keep winning. It's crazy [to be supported by Turki Alalshikh], it's a dream to be on these cards. Crazy."
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Mark Chamberlain TKO1 Joshua Oluwaseun
Such short, sharp shots from Chamberlain.
Then with Oluwaseun scrambling, he opened up and whipped a left hook around his guard to send him tumbling into the ropes.
Just look what it means to Chamberlain, too, screaming with joy. He can sit back and enjoy the show now.
Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Lennox Lewis explains the meaning of undisputed
“The feeling was great, I worked my entire career for it, to get all the belts together. I didn’t look at the history aspect. But Holyfield has never fought me, but people said he was the champion.
“If a cruiserweight comes up to my weight class, I’ve got to let him know.
“Holyfield realised he had to work to beat me. In the first fight, he was coming to the ring singing, I thought, ‘how is he singing? He’s not taking me seriously!’
“I didn’t want the argument, ‘who’s the champion?’ Holyfield, Tyson, Lewis... When you’re undisputed, nobody can say nothing!”
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