In a stunning upset, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury via split decision to claim all four major heavyweight titles in a thrilling and brutal fight early Sunday morning.
Usyk, already holding the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts, added Fury’s WBC title to his collection with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while one judge favored Fury 114-113.
The fight was a technical chess match that turned into a war of attrition. Usyk’s superior footwork and jabbing kept him ahead for most of the fight, but Fury’s size and power threatened to turn the tide.
The turning point came in the eighth round when Usyk landed a dominant combination, followed by a left hook that rocked Fury and sent blood streaming from his nose. In the ninth, Usyk unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, nearly knocking Fury out. The referee gave Fury a seemingly long count, but the “Gypsy King” displayed incredible resilience, surviving the round and remaining competitive in the later stages.
Despite Fury’s valiant efforts, Usyk landed the cleaner punches throughout the contest, ultimately securing a well-deserved victory and etching his name in boxing history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century.
