In a thrilling and historic night in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury experienced a heartbreaking split-decision defeat, marking his first loss in his impressive 16-year professional career. The stage was set for a legacy-defining clash as Fury faced off against Oleksandr Usyk, who made history by becoming boxing’s first-ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
The fight began with Fury showcasing his skills and asserting his dominance in the ring. However, the tide turned dramatically in the ninth round when Usyk launched a fierce assault, causing Fury to receive a standing count and narrowly escaping defeat as the bell rang. The atmosphere was filled with tension as everyone eagerly awaited the reading of the scorecards.
Despite Fury’s confidence in victory, a somber Usyk broke down in tears when he was announced as the winner. The scorecards revealed a close contest, with two judges scoring it 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while another judge scored it 114-113 for Fury.
“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority,” Fury said.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.”
He added: “It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I’ll be back.”
This defeat marked a significant moment for Fury, who had previously been undefeated throughout his career. However, fans can look forward to an immediate opportunity for redemption as a rematch between Fury and Usyk is already planned for later this year. The stakes will be high as Fury aims to reclaim his titles and avenge his loss.
With this victory, Usyk not only secured the WBC belt but also added it to his collection of the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts. At 37 years old, Usyk remains unbeaten and stands as the sole heavyweight world champion, a feat that has not been achieved in nearly 25 years.
