By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
With the WBC, WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, IBO, The Ring and Lineal undisputed heavyweight titles on the line, the match at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia became the first unification bout since 1999.
Usyk added Fury’s WBC title to his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts during a thrilling fight in Riyadh that saw the Gypsy King survive a nasty knockout in the ninth round.
The judges scored the contest, which lasted 12 rounds: 115-112, 114-115, and 114-113 in favor of the Ukrainian.
Fury started the bout like a house on fire as he landed impressive jabs and hellacious uppercut on Usyk. It wasn’t until the seventh round before the Ukrainian southpaw got his rhythm and started landing punches with some nasty hooks and body shots.
The major turning point was in the 11th round when Usyk briefly trapped the now former WBC champion in the corner and landed a rasping left hand. He doubled up with two left hands that pinned Fury against the ropes.
The 12th round saw both heavyweights land shots on each other before referee Mark Nelson signals the end of proceedings.
Usyk has now become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years. READ ALSO:
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The great Lennox Lewis was the last man with all the marbles when he defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999.
