Tyson Fury suffered a split-decision points first ever defeat on a highly tactical bout in Saudi Arabia as Oleksandr Usyk made history on Saturday, May 18 to become boxing’s first ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
On a legacy-defining night, Briton’s Fury began well but was given a standing 10 count and saved by the bell after an Usyk onslaught in the ninth round.
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 plans to invoke the rematch clause in an aim get back his pound of flesh which might be 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 collection.
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, for my country. It’s a great time, it’s a great day and Yes, of course, I am ready for a rematch,” Usyk, the new and first unifying heavy weight champion of the world said.
