Usyk lands blow on Fury
Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday beat Tyson Fury by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
The Mirror noted that Usyk toppled Fury with a stirring second-half comeback to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
Fury dominated the first half of the fight, belying the magnitude of the night by clowning around at every opportunity.
But Usyk made a stirring comeback in the desert, forcing the referee to issue a count when only the ropes held his rival up in the ninth round.
Accordingly, Fury struggled to regain the momentum and would have been the happier of the two men to hear the final bell.
But his relief was short-lived as Usyk was announced the winner – and the division’s first undisputed ruler for 25 years – by split-decision.
The Brit, who was making the fourth defence of his world title, had weighed in 40lb heavier than bid rival and also enjoyed a six-inch height advantage.
He towered over Usyk as they touched gloves, telling the smaller man he was “going to school”.
Despite the occasion, Fury was in a playful mood from the first bell, taunting Usyk by lying back on the ropes. He then repeatedly punched himself in the head, beckoning his rival on.
Usyk landed a one-two at the start of the second round as Fury began to target the body – before punctuating the three minutes with an uppercut.
Fury was content to box on the back foot but began to use his size to lean on Usyk.
He switched to southpaw in the fourth round and prematurely raised his hands in victory after landing a back hand.
Such was Fury’s reach advantage that Usyk was at times struggling to close the distance.
Fury whipped in hooks to either side of the Ukrainian’s midriff as the former Cruiserweight champion showed the first signs of struggle.
By the sixth round Fury looked to be in complete control as Usyk began to tire. Now the Brit was on the front foot as his rival backtracked and he reached the halfway mark with his hands behind his back.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua had the best seats in the house alongside boxing’s new power broker Turki Alalshikh.
Steven Gerrard paid a visit to Fury’s dressing room before the first bell while Brazilian superstar Neymar also made an appearance.
And they would have enjoyed Fury’s performance in front of 28,000 fans, including a travelling contingent of Fury’s loyalists.
But Usyk was never going to lie down easily and returned fire in the seventh round with two left-hand reminders.
Fury was alive to the threat however and immediately answered back.
Usyk increased his urgency in the eighth round as he chased down his fellow champion, appearing to demand he meet him for a fire-fight.
It was Usyk’s best round of the fight as he roared back into contention, landing a left-hand flush.
And he put his foot on the gas in the next round when a left hand against the ropes left Fury stunned.
Fury staggered around the ring as Usyk rushed after him and with only the ropes holding him up, the referee issued him a count.
The bell sounded to ensure Fury could fight on but Usyk smelled blood.
Fury had been down seven times before in his career and recovered each time but he looked vulnerable.
But that didn’t stop him showboating in the corner in an attempt to prove he wasn’t still stunned.
Fury had regained his composure by the penultimate round but the momentum was with Usyk as he flashed in a right hand.
A left hand against the ropes worried Fury again as Usyk looked to close the show.
The result was up in the air as the bell sounded for the final round but neither man was prepared to go for broke.
Fury landed the final telling blow but the result was left in the judges’ hands, The Mirror noted.
Analysis
The last time boxing had an undisputed heavyweight champion was in 2000 Lennox Lewis, three-belt era. two judges scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk, while the third had it 114-113 for Fury.
Tale of two fights
This fight was a tale of two halfs. Fury was in complete control in the first 6 rounds. He was bothering Usyk with his jab and uppercuts to the body, it was looking like a easy victory for Fury. As the fight went on Usyk starting to get more comfortable and was starting to finally catch Fury. Once the eight round hit you could see the momentum completely turn.
Surving the 9th
Multiple combinations were starting to land for Usyk and Fury clearly had no answer for him. In the 9th round Usyk caught fury and knocked him out on his feet. It was looking like the referee was going to stop the fight but he declared that the only thing that was keeping Fury on his feet was the ropes. That’s when the referee started his 10 count, in all reality that seemed to have saved Fury as he survived the round. From that point on Usyk was in control of the fight and sealed the deal in the championship rounds.
Both fighters reactions
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury says. “I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won majority of them. And I believe it was – what can you do? – one of them decisions in boxing.
“We’ve both put on a good fight. Best we could do. And, you know, his country’s at war. So people are siding with a country at war. But make no mistake, I’ve won that fight in my opinion, and I’ll be back. We’ve got a rematch clause.
“You know, I thank Jesus for all the victories he’s given me. I’ve dropped a split decision to the good little man, and I thank him again in the mighty name of Jesus. We go back home to our families and we’ll run it back in October.”
Usk was asked if he was ready for an immediate rematch after the fight.
“Of course!” he says. “I’m ready for a rematch. Listen. We do a good fight, yes?”
Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, is asked about the fight.
“I’m exhausted,” he says.” I was cheering. I was making music the whole fight. But, like no disrespect to the referee [Mark Nelson], but he I think he saw a KO in the ninth. That’s my opinion, but anyway, it was a tremendous performance. It was something unbelievable. And I hope to see even more in the rematch.”
