In a historic night of boxing in Riyadh, Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown against Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion. The Kingdom Arena was witness to a battle for the ages as the Ukrainian fighter secured a razor-thin split decision over his towering opponent.
Despite being dwarfed by Fury, Usyk showcased his resilience and skill as he weathered a storm in the middle of the fight before coming back with a vengeance. The 37-year-old made history by becoming the first boxer to hold all four major heavyweight belts simultaneously since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
The fight saw Usyk dominate the early rounds, only for Fury to hit his stride in the fourth with some impressive body shots. However, Usyk fought back fiercely, delivering powerful punches that left Fury reeling and forced him to take a standing count in the ninth round.
As the fight progressed, Usyk turned the tide in his favor, relentlessly pursuing Fury and ultimately edging him out on the judges’ scorecards. In a post-fight interview, a tearful Usyk expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and announced his willingness to grant Fury an immediate rematch.
In the co-main event, Jai Opetaia of Australia claimed the IBF cruiserweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Mairis Briedis, while Ireland’s Anthony Cacace retained his super-featherweight title and secured the IBF belt with a Technical Knockout Win over Joe Cordina of Wales. It was truly a night to remember in the world of boxing.