Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk is celebrating a historic night in Saudi Arabia after beating Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years. The Ukrainian deservedly came out on top in a captivating main event at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, starting extremely well and then weathering a Fury comeback in the middle rounds before almost stopping his long-time rival in the ninth and eventually taking a split decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Two had the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the very first of the four-belt era who also previously reigned as the first four-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion. Another judge controversially scored the bout 114-113 in favour of Fury, who lost his WBC belt in a first professional defeat as he plots swift revenge in a contracted rematch that is expected to take place in October.
We also saw Joe Cordina stunned by Anthony Cacace on Saturday night to lose his IBF super-featherweight title in a first career loss of his own, while Jai Opetaia outlasted Mairis Briedis to regain the IBF cruiserweight belt. Moses Itauma and Mark Chamberlain both recorded vicious early knockouts, while Agit Kabayel stopped the previously unbeaten Frank Sanchez and Sergey Kovalev's return ended in disappointing defeat by Robin Safar. Follow Fury vs Usyk reaction live below!
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Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Final round underway!
Both men going for it, Usyk rattled by a big right hand with a minute left.
Can Fury build on it with time running out?!
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 10
Usyk keeps himself under control, not going gung-ho for the knockout early in the 10th after that onslaught but still inflicting enough damage to keep Fury in a daze.
Usyk is in total control now and Fury is all over the place, so unusual to see.
Fury is trying his utmost to recover here and get his feet back under him.
He gets through the round, but it’s another in the bag for Usyk.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 8
Both men look to drive the tempo in the eighth.
A couple of huge exchanges that see both fighters land some powerful shots.
Usyk is having success with some of these lovely lefts that are finding their mark.
Fury gets caught with a thudding hook with 20 seconds left in the round.
There is a lot of blood coming from the nose of Fury and it’s smeared all around his face.
A crucial round that from Usyk. Has he taken the last two?
A brilliant response to wrestle back some momentum.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
So we’ve got it 3-3 through six - first three to Usyk, followed by three in a row from Fury who is now looking supremely confident.
Usyk needs to get back on track quickly.
He needs a round to regather some momentum and halt Fury’s.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 6
Usyk tries to start the sixth quickly to regain some control, but Fury looks to be feeling himself somewhat now.
He’s moving so well and throwing those feints to great effect, walloping in another wincing right hand to the body.
These body shots are clearly hurting Usyk, who is buzzed by a big uppercut!
Fury taking centre ring now and imposing his authority with confidence.
Usyk shakes off that uppercut but this is starting to look a bit ominous for him now despite the impressive start.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 5
This is much better from Fury now.
He’s settled into the fight after an uncertain start and found his groove, using his considerable size and weight advantage to step into some of these shots.
Usyk may have been hurt to the body earlier in the round as Fury continues to target the torso over and over again.
Another clear Fury round. 3-2 to Usyk for me as we approach the halfway stage of a truly fascinating battle.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
A bit of damage showing around that right eye of Usyk that is being worked on in the corner before the start of the fifth.
Doesn’t look too bad.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 3
The left to the body is by far Usyk’s biggest weapon here and he’s landed it plenty already, perfectly creating the angles to chop it in.
Usyk is still thoroughly dictating the tempo and direction here, but again Fury comes on strong at the end of the round, stepping into a couple of shots and jabs that find their mark.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 2
Usyk catches Fury again at the beginning of the second - this has been a good start from the Ukrainian.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Round 1
Usyk straight into trying to fire that left hand to the body from the first bell.
Fury tries to stoop and jab to the body, finding the mark with a right hand.
Both men moving and feinting all over the place, as you might expect.
Chants of ‘Usyk’ from ringside as their man keeps trying to smash in that left hand to the chest of the much taller Fury.
Fury playing to the crowd already on the ropes!
Lefts and rights to the chest from Usyk, with plenty of jabs now exchanged.
An overhand left from Usyk lands in the final stages of the first.
He then throws a couple more shots upstairs before the bell.
A close opener. Shaded by Usyk?
