Featured Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Topics: Boxing, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Sport
Joshua Nair
Topics: Boxing, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Sport
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury by split decision (115-112 Usyk 114-113 Fury 114-113 Usyk).
It was one of the finest heavyweight fights and sporting spectacles of the 21st century, with fans experiencing it all, with the scales being tipped numerous times and Fury coming back from the brink of defeat to fight to the end.
The result takes the Ukrainian's boxing record to 22-0-0 with 14 wins by KO, following up on a win against Derek Chisora, back-to back wins against Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois in consecutive bouts.
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Following the result though, Fury is set to exercise his rematch clause, with the match expected to take place later this year in an attempt to regain his titles.
Usyk is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, having become the undisputed cruiserweight champion earlier in his career before making the weight-class jump.
It is the most punches that a boxer has ever been able to land on Fury throughout his 36-match career, as the Ukrainian boxer's game plan came to fruition after looking burnt out.
Fury got off to a slow start, with Usyk very much on the front foot for the first few rounds, peppering the Mancunian boxer with several shots and left handed shots in particular.
The Wythenshawe born fighter then started to go on the offensive in round four, putting the Ukrainian off balance and then landing an uppercut.
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Round five was where the Brit's gameplan started to show, going for multiple body shots to tire his opponent, continuing to land some huge shots on Usyk in the sixth - Fury's most dominant round so far.
The end of the seventh saw a flurry of punches from Usyk on Fury, which led to an eighth round that belonged to the Ukrainian, who landed some fantastic combinations on the 35-year-old.
And in the ninth, the Ukrainian landed several consecutive shots on Fury, who was left rocked and stumbling around the ring, bouncing off the ropes to get away from his opponent, in a state that he hasn't been seen in throughout his career as Usyk scored a knock down.
The tenth and eleventh saw Fury come back into the fight, with Usyk continuing to look lively as the former began to manage the fight to attempt to win by decision.
The final round saw everything put on the line, with Usyk hunting for the knockout, while Fury continued to tap into his other-worldly spirit to continue to soldier on, though it proved too little, too late.
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During the Thursday press conference, there was a sense of respect between the fighters, with the Mancunian boxer even saying he would 'say a prayer' for both fighters before walking out, so they could make it home safe.
His bold words comes shortly after the death of British boxer Sherif Lawal, who was pronounced dead after his professional boxing match at Harrow Leisure Centre.
The Gypsy King came out on the offensive during Friday's weigh-in, telling the press: "Fireworks tomorrow night. I'm gonna knock this little fu**er spark out!
"I'm coming for his heart, that's what I'm coming for, f**k his belts, he's getting it tomorrow, spark out. F**k his team too, f**k the lot of them, they can all get it if they want."
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And though he didn't look at his opponent on Thursday, Fury made no mistake on Friday, standing head-to-head in front of the press.
One the biggest names in heavyweight boxing, The Gypsy King has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best in the division. Fury is undefeated in 35 career fights with the only mar on his otherwise immaculate fighting record being a draw with Deontay Wilder, where he got up from two knock-downs and even knocked Wilder down three times.
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Nationality: British
Date of birth: August 12, 1988
Height: 6' 9"
Reach: 85"
Total fights: 36
Record: 34-1-1 (24 KOs)
Usyk holds multiple world championship titles in two different weight classes: heavyweight and cruiserweight. Usyk has secured career defining wins – including over the likes of Anthony Joshua and has never lost a fight.
Nationality: Ukrainian
Date of birth: January 17, 1897
Height: 6’ 3”
Reach: 78”
Total fights: 22
Record: 22-0 (14 KOs)