Oleksandr Usyk Becomes First Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion of the Century After Defeating Tyson Fury

Oleksandr Usyk made history as the first undisputed world heavyweight champion of this century after defeating Tyson Fury in a compelling fight decided by split decision early Sunday morning. Usyk added Fury’s WBC title to the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts he already held, winning the verdict 115-112 from the first judge and 114-113 from the third official. The middle scorecard called it 114-113 in favor of Fury, despite him nearly being knocked out in the ninth round when he staggered across the ring. Fury was given a standing count of eight and saved by the bell.

The absorbing and highly technical contest shifted momentum when Usyk dominated the eighth round with a right hook and left cross that nailed Fury. Surging with new conviction, Usyk landed a shuddering left that rocked Fury, causing blood to stream from Fury’s nose and marking him up around the left eye.

Usyk poured on the pressure in the ninth, landing an incredible barrage of 14 unanswered blows. Fury reeled under the assault, swaying and stumbling helplessly with glazed eyes. The referee could have stopped the fight but, with Fury being held up by the sagging ropes, he gave the stricken fighter time to try to stand upright before beginning the count. It seemed an exceedingly long count.

Fury, as always, showed great resilience in the next two rounds and remained competitive, but both the 10th and 11th rounds were won by Usyk, who landed the harder blows. Before the final round, Fury stretched his arm out to touch gloves with Usyk in a gesture of admiration.

A sharp combination from Usyk scored early in the last round, but two straight right hands from Fury proved he was still trying to win the fight. Usyk unleashed a thrilling string of punches, providing a fitting conclusion to a gripping and often magnificent contest.

At the outset, both fighters looked to the heavens and crossed themselves just before the opening bell, as if aware they were about to enter dark terrain and be pushed to their limits.

The height difference was apparent, with Fury standing six inches taller, but Usyk was immediately effective, jabbing to the body repeatedly. Fury shook his head and wagged his tongue in jest, but Usyk nailed him with a jolting overhand left near the end of the round. Fury responded with humor, playing the joker for the crowd.

Usyk began the second round impressively with a slick combination, though Fury soon found his rhythm, catching Usyk with a right uppercut and landing two hefty right hands to the body. The crowd roared as Fury settled behind his jab, but Usyk remained the aggressor, setting a fast pace.

Throughout the third and fourth rounds, Usyk moved in and out, showcasing his slick skills and clipping Fury with glancing blows. Fury responded with powerful body shots and herky-jerky movement, boxing beautifully. Despite a brief clash of heads, Fury kept working Usyk’s body with powerful, draining blows in the fifth, threatening to dismantle the Ukrainian.

In the sixth round, a series of crunching right uppercuts shook Usyk to his core. Fury seemed in control, tagging Usyk repeatedly and waggling his tongue at the crowd to suggest his dominance. However, Fury was mistaken. In the seventh round, Usyk remained resolute, ending the round by clipping Fury with crisp combinations.

An Olympic champion in 2012 and the former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, Usyk overcame the severe disadvantage of being more than two stone lighter than the 6ft 9in, 18st 10lb Fury. At 37 years old, Usyk's mastery of technique, iron will, and clarity of purpose carried him through. Having fought 350 times as an amateur, he remains undefeated in 22 professional bouts and has now reached the pinnacle of his remarkable career.

Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed world heavyweight champion, defeating Evander Holyfield to win all the belts in Las Vegas in 1999. Nearly 25 years later, both great champions were ringside in Riyadh to watch their successors. Fury was brave and admirable, but the imperious Usyk can now join the pantheon of heavyweight kings.