Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury, Becomes Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

In a thrilling heavyweight showdown, Oleksandr Usyk unleashed a furious late rally to overcome Tyson Fury's dominance and claim the undisputed heavyweight championship, etching his name into boxing history as the first fighter to hold all four major world titles in the four-belt era.

Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) has ascended to the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing, dethroning Tyson Fury (34-1-1) by split decision on Sunday to become the first undisputed champion in 24 years. The victory caps an extraordinary chapter in Usyk's career, as he has now defeated three of the division's most formidable figures: Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and now Fury.

Usyk's triumph was not without its challenges. The outset of the match saw Fury showcasing his trademark swagger and confidence, dominating the middle rounds with his superior size and power. Yet, Usyk refused to wilt under the pressure, summoning his signature resilience to rally in the final rounds.

In the eighth round, Usyk seized control of the bout, relentlessly peppering Fury with combinations. The Ukrainian's dominance continued into the ninth round, where he sent Fury sprawling into a corner with a devastating left hand that earned him a knockdown right before the bell.

Fury's valiant efforts in the tenth round proved futile as Usyk held on to his advantage. The judges' verdict reflected the closely contested nature of the bout, with two favoring Usyk (115-112 and 114-113) while the third awarded Fury the win (114-113).

Usyk's victory marks a historic achievement in the heavyweight division. Since Lennox Lewis held the honor for five months in 1999 and 2000, no fighter has managed to unify all four major world titles. Usyk's triumph also elevates him to the lineal heavyweight championship, a distinction previously held by Fury.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian stands 6 inches shorter than the 6-foot-9 Fury and entered the bout at a 30-pound disadvantage. However, Usyk's superior athleticism and technical brilliance proved decisive in overcoming Fury's physical advantages.

Usyk's dominance in the bout was reflected in the CompuBox statistics, which showed him landing 41% of his 407 punches compared to Fury's 31.7% of 496 punches. Usyk also landed more power punches (122 to 95).

Usyk's victory solidifies his place among the greatest heavyweights of all time. He joins an elite club that includes Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson as the only undisputed heavyweight champions.

The matchup between Usyk and Fury materialized due to the lucrative financial incentives offered by Saudi Arabia, which hosted the highly anticipated bout. Both fighters reportedly earned substantial sums, with Fury's earnings exceeding $100 million.

The bout began in the early hours of Sunday morning to accommodate the Western pay-per-view audience. Despite the late hour, fans witnessed an unforgettable chapter in boxing history as Oleksandr Usyk etched his name as the undisputed heavyweight king.