Before the fight, many believed Fury, the WBC champion, would use his size to neutralize Usyk, the holder of the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, leading to a potentially dull match. But the bout in Saudi Arabia proved to be anything but boring. Fury seemed to have the upper hand midway through the fight, only for Usyk to dramatically turn things around with a ninth-round knockdown.
Despite Fury managing to avoid a stoppage, the judges' scorecards didn't favor him. Usyk won with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while one judge gave Fury a 114-113 edge. Usyk's victory makes him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000. However, not all the belts will be on the line in their October rematch, as the IBF title is set to become vacant.
Fury, known for his flamboyant antics, showboated in the first round, which Usyk dominated, proving that size might not be a decisive factor. Usyk took an early lead in what was a captivating contest, but Fury fought back strongly in rounds four to six, making it look like Usyk might face his first stoppage.
Fury’s body shots were effective, and a massive uppercut seemed to tip the fight in his favor. However, Usyk made a remarkable recovery in the seventh round, mounting a relentless attack that culminated in a powerful left hand that left Fury hanging on the ropes. For what felt like an eternity, Usyk pummeled Fury, who could barely stand without the ropes' support. Surprisingly, the referee allowed the fight to continue after a 10-count.
Usyk appeared to take a breather in the tenth round, giving Fury a brief respite. Fury deserves credit for how he managed the last six minutes, perhaps knowing he was close to losing his unbeaten record. Although a draw might have seemed fair, the judges saw it differently, giving Usyk the nod in what is likely just the first of two epic battles between these heavyweight titans.
