Oleksandr Usyk has dethroned Tyson Fury and is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after a split decision victory in Saudi Arabia today.
Two judges gave the bout to Usyk 114-113 and 115-112 and the other gave it 114-113 to Fury.
Usyk is the first man in 25 years to hold the undisputed title. Englishman Lennox Lewis was the last man to hold it.
In a dramatic fight in Riyadh, Usyk controlled the first two rounds before Fury, with a big size and reach advantage, found his range and dominated the fight before Usyk regained his momentum.
The key round was the ninth, with Fury badly hurt by a flurry of Usyk punches, the referee giving the Englishman a standing eight count when he could have stopped the fight and handed Usyk a technical knockout victory.
Fury, saved by the bell, once again showed his powers of recovery to regain his senses and go the distance.
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury said afterwards. “I believe he won a few of the rounds but I won the majority of them.
“I’ll be back, I’ve got a rematch clause.”
The pair will likely fight again in October; the rematch clause was present no matter the winner. It will be a popular fight - both men showed heart, skill and power and contributed to a phenomenal occasion.
Ukrainian Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, was emotional when he heard the decision. He said: “Yes, I am ready for the rematch.”
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