Oleksandr Usyk produced a stunning performance to beat Tyson Fury on Saturday night and become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
There hadn’t been an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in a rematch of all-time greats in November 1999 in Las Vegas.
Persecondnews reports that Fury suffered a split-decision points defeat on a dramatic night, early Sunday, at a sold-out Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Briton Fury started off strong on a grand stage and on a night that would define his legacy, but after an Usyk onslaught in the ninth round, the bell saved him with a standing 10 count.
The scorecards gave 115-112 and 114-113 decisions in favour of the Ukrainian, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury.
It meant Fury, 35, lost for the first time in a 16-year professional career. He will get an immediate opportunity for revenge, with a rematch planned for later this year.
“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority.
“It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I’ll be back,” a defiant Fury said in the ring.
Usyk takes the WBC belt from Fury to add to his WBA, WBO, and IBF collections.
The 37-year-old remains unbeaten and is the first boxer in almost 25 years to stand tall as the sport’s sole heavyweight world champion.
“Thank you so much to my team. It’s a big opportunity for my family, for me, and for my country. It’s a great time, and it’s a great day.
“Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch,” Usyk said.
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