There is a new undisputed and undefeated heavyweight champion of the world.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk joined Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson as the only undisputed champions by winning a split decision over Tyson Fury. The fight took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The previously undefeated Fury was convinced he won the fight. But the scorecards favored Usyk.
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury said to DAZN.“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them. … We all put on a good fight, best we could do. And, you know, his country is at war, so people are siding with someone with a country at war. But make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion, and I’ll be back.”
Related Stories
Fury and Usyk reportedly have a rematch clause in their contract. ESPN reported that it’s planned for Oct. 12.
Watch on Deadline
Usyk floored Fury in Round 9 en route to his split decision victory early Sunday at sold-out Kingdom Arena.
One judge scored it 114-113 for Fury, but the two others had it 114-113 and 115-112 for Usyk.
“It’s [a] big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country, for history,” said Usyk. “It’s [a] great day.” Fury won the final round unanimously, but by then it was too late.