Fury came under early pressure, with Usyk mounting an aggressive offensive from the start. The “Gypsy King” looked relaxed as he moved around the ring in the early rounds. But after Usyk landed a right hook in the ninth round it looked as if Fury was in serious trouble.
Oleksandr Usyk has become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after defeating British boxing star Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian won on a split decision following the match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk had 115-112 and 114-113 on two cards, while Fury took the other 114-113.
Fury disputed his loss after the match, saying: “I believe I won that fight. I think he won a few rounds but I won the majority of them.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.
In response Usyk said he was “ready for rematch,” but later added: “I don’t think about rematch now, I want to rest.”
Fury came under early pressure, with Usyk taking the centre of the ring with an aggressive offensive from the start.
At one point Fury was pushed against the ropes and started laughing as Usyk applied pressure.
The “Gypsy King” looked relaxed as he moved around the ring in the early rounds and picked his shots.
But after Usyk landed a right hook in the ninth round it looked as if Fury was in serious trouble.
The Ukrainian followed up by unloading freely but somehow the bookmakers’ favourite stayed on his feet and was given a standing 10-second count saved by the bell.
It left Fury struggling through the final three rounds as Usyk chased him around the ring.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian became the first boxer to hold all four major heavyweight belts at the same time and the first undisputed champion in 24 years.
Fury weighed 262lbs (18th place 10lbs) last night, almost three stone heavier than Usyk, who reached his career-best weight of 223lbs (15th place 13lbs).
Fury refused to look at his opponent at Thursday’s press conference but didn’t back down at last night’s weigh-in. There, the two almost got into a fight before being separated from their entourage.
Usyk entered the ring first dressed as a Cossack warrior.
Fury performed to songs by Barry White and Bonnie Tyler, with Gypsy King” dancing on stage for a few minutes before the song switched toHolding Out for a Hero.”
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the ring alongside British boxer Anthony Joshua, who is aiming for a world title against Usyk.