Oleksandr Usyk (left) punches Tyson Fury in the heavyweight championship fight … [+]
The best year in boxing continued Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Oleksandr Usyk has been the undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis defeated Tyson Fury by split decision (115-112, 114-113, 113-114) in 2001.
The biggest difference in this fight was Fury standing up and knocking him down with a hard left hook in the ninth.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 18: Tyson Fury reacts to a punch from Oleksandr Usyk during their fight … [+]
take a look here almost knocked out.
This knockdown was a major turning point in the fight, and one of the judges’ scorecards showed the difference. If not for the knockdown, Fury would have won by split decision.
The first two rounds seemed to be all Usyk as his speed and activity caused problems for Fury. Fury’s length and body punches slowed Usyk down from rounds three through seven. Multiple times, he seemed to hurt Usyk by hitting him hard to the body with his right hand and uppercuts to his head.
But the Ukrainians never fell.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 18: Oleksandr Usyk celebrates by raising the Ukrainian flag … [+]
Fury’s pace seemed to slow in the eighth round, giving Usyk an opportunity to take control of the fight. Usyk made a cut under Fury’s right eye to boost his confidence and set him up for the crucial ninth frame.
In the ninth inning, Fury stumbled around the ring, holding on to the ropes for several seconds before collapsing in the corner, leading some to believe that the referee could have stopped the fight. He stood up and finished the round.
In the 10th, Fury seemed to regain his form midway through the round, but it did little to slow Usyk’s momentum.
The last two rounds were scored by me on Fury, 114-113 in favor of the Gypsy King. However, several close rounds made the decision in Usyk’s favor fair and acceptable.
Both fighters have an automatic rematch clause, meaning they will have a rematch in October. In the post-fight interview, Fury said he believed he won the fight and that he wanted a rematch.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 18: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight IBF, WBA, WBC, … [+]
Usyk responded, enjoying his moment as the undisputed champion. He has now cemented his place as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, becoming the undisputed champion in two weight classes.
Following the fight, praise for Usyk’s accomplishments poured in from several high-ranking officials across the martial arts world.
Terrence Crawford paid tribute To Usyk, he was considered a legitimate threat as the best pound-for-pound fighter.
Usyk is currently the reigning heavyweight champion. He plans to rest and prepare for a rematch with Fury in October, which will coincide with the release of the new boxing video game Undisputed.
How much better will boxing be this year? Fight fans are here for it.
