A crucial ninth-round knockdown secured the win in this historic battle between two top-tier fighters. Usyk split decision victory makes him the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years, following Lennox Lewis.
Oleksandr Usyk edges out Tyson Fury with a split decision victory. In a packed arena filled with suspense, ring announcer Michael Buffer announces the judges’ scores. The first score: 115-112 for Usyk. The second: 114-113 for Fury. The third: 114-113 … for Oleksandr Usyk!
“I thought the fight was over,” Hearn remarks. “Honestly, watching Fury was incredible. His movement, the way he used his size, and leaned on Usyk. He was setting him up perfectly, bringing him up the middle, and his jab was spot on. He was showboating. People ask if he switched off? No, that was just Tyson Fury being himself.
“You can’t take that away from him. He’s done that in all his fights where he’s looked amazing. But you have to recognize Oleksandr Usyk’s brilliance. He defeated every champion at cruiserweight, moved up, beat Anthony Joshua twice to become the unified world heavyweight champion, and now he’s beaten Tyson Fury. We’re talking about one of the greatest fighters of our time.
“After six rounds, you could have bet anything that the fight was over. It seemed impossible. I was thinking, this is unbelievable. It’s a walk in the park. No rematch. AJ goes straight to Fury. Then, suddenly, it changes, and in the ninth round, Usyk barely survived but showed incredible heart to stay on his feet. What an incredible fight.”
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Hearn adds, “As a Brit, we wanted to win tonight, but you can’t help but feel for Usyk and his country. What an achievement! He’s going to lift Ukraine. He’ll be an absolute national hero, and he deserves it. He’s a good man, a good human being. And what a performance. Honestly, I thought he was completely done in that fight.”
“First of all, what a spectacle!,” says Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom and promoter of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. “It was fantastic for the sport of boxing. The fight was incredible and had two distinct halves. In the first half, I could barely give Usyk more than one round.
Then suddenly, everything changed in rounds seven and eight, and the momentum shifted. How he survived the night? I thought he was very fortunate the referee didn’t step in. He showed incredible heart to stay on his feet and remarkable composure in the 10th and 11th rounds. Though he was losing those rounds, he was recovering.
“Usyk started to look tired, but all the momentum was with him. He kept moving forward, pressuring Fury. The 12th round was quite close. Everyone ringside was wondering who had the edge at the end. To me, it was either a draw or Usyk by one or two rounds at most.
Tyson Fury was sensational in the first half; it was almost a mismatch. But Usyk kept coming. It didn’t seem like he would find a way until he started winning rounds consecutively. The ninth round was incredible, with Fury hurt badly. What a fight. An unbelievable fight.”
“That was quite the showdown,” remarks Lennox Lewis, whose retirement triggered a division in the title that remained unresolved until now. “I’ve been saying, he’s got an entire nation rallying behind him, fighting with a clear purpose.
It was evident in the match. He relentlessly pressured Tyson Fury round after round. Those subtle body shots wore down Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury, he needed more discipline. He should have kept his guard up more. He got caught, and Usyk took advantage of that because Fury was being careless.
Reflecting on the ninth-round knockdown, Lewis observes: “[Fury] can absorb a punch. He withstood a blow from Deontay Wilder and bounced back, so his chin is solid. I expressed my concern about his footing. His concentration wasn’t as sharp as I had hoped. When you’re not fully focused, you’re susceptible to getting caught, and that’s exactly what happened.”
He adds, “Credit must be given to Usyk. He delivered an exceptional performance. Oleksandr Usyk maintained his focus throughout, and with his fans right there in the front row cheering him on, I could see his energy soar. Every time they chanted ‘Usyk,’ his spirit was uplifted.”
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Oleksandr Usyk emerges victorious over Tyson Fury, claiming the undisputed heavyweight title. This historic achievement solidifies Usyk’s status as a dominant force in the world of boxing and marks a significant moment in the sport’s history.
With this win, Usyk etches his name among the legends of the heavyweight division, showcasing his ability to overcome formidable opponents and rise to the pinnacle of success. As the new undisputed champion, Usyk’s journey to the top serves as an inspiration and testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance in pursuit of greatness.
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