In a historic clash dubbed the “Ring of Fire,” Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious over Tyson Fury in a split decision, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years. The bout, held in Riyadh, saw Usyk add Fury’s WBC title to his collection, which already included the WBA, IBF, and IBO belts.
Usyk, who remains undefeated with a 22-0 record, faced a formidable challenge from Fury, who showed early aggression in the fight. However, Usyk’s resilience shone through in the later rounds, culminating in a pivotal ninth-round knockdown. The judges’ scores reflected the bout’s intensity: 115-112 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk, while one judge scored 114-113 for Fury.
This victory marks a significant milestone in the four-belt era of boxing, as Usyk joins the ranks of legendary undisputed champions such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson. Fury, known as the “Gypsy King,” suffered the first defeat of his career.
Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, expressed his gratitude and readiness for future challenges. “It is a big opportunity for me, for my family, and for my country,” said the 37-year-old Ukrainian, who briefly served as a soldier following the Russian invasion. “It’s a great time, a great day,” he added, confirming his willingness to face a rematch.
Fury acknowledged the competitive nature of the bout, stating, “It was a fantastic fight with Oleksandr. I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them.” He also touched on the impact of Usyk’s background, saying, “You know his country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war, but make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion, and I will be back.”
A rematch is anticipated in October, promising another exciting chapter in the rivalry between these two heavyweight titans.