In a historic night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk secured his place in boxing history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2001. Usyk scored a split-decision victory over Tyson Fury in a highly anticipated match-up. The defining moment of the fight came in the ninth round when a massive left hook from Usyk sent Fury staggering and nearly knocked him out.
Despite Fury’s valiant efforts, including landing hard right hands and uppercuts that appeared to hurt Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer never went down. In the eighth round, Fury’s pace slowed, allowing Usyk to gain control of the fight. Usyk opened a cut under Fury’s right eye, setting the stage for the dramatic knockdown in the ninth round that ultimately proved to be the difference on one of the judges’ scorecards.
Although Fury managed to get back on his feet after the knockdown, Usyk continued to press forward and maintain momentum in the later rounds. While some observers scored the fight in Fury’s favor, citing his strong finish in the final rounds, the decision in Usyk’s favor was deemed fair and acceptable due to the closeness of several rounds throughout the fight.
Following the fight, both fighters indicated their willingness to face each other in a rematch, which is set to take place in October. Fury expressed his belief that he won the fight and eagerly accepted the opportunity for a second bout with Usyk. Meanwhile, Usyk basked in the glory of his undisputed championship status, solidifying his place as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport.
Usyk’s victory was met with praise and admiration from various figures in the world of combat sports. Terence Crawford, considered one of the pound-for-pound best fighters, acknowledged Usyk’s legitimacy as a threat in the division. With the rematch on the horizon and the release of the new Undisputed boxing video game scheduled for October, Usyk’s reign as the king of the heavyweight division is set to continue, further elevating his status in the sport.
As boxing continues to deliver thrilling matchups and historic moments in 2022, fight fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for the sport. Usyk’s triumph over Fury adds another chapter to this remarkable year in boxing, leaving fans eager for more exciting battles and unforgettable moments in the ring.
