Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by split decision to win the world’s first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years on Sunday, an unprecedented feat in boxing’s four-belt era.
Britain’s Fury was the early aggressor but Usyk gradually took charge and the “Gypsy King” was saved by the bell in the ninth round before slumping to his first career defeat.
Ukraine’s Usyk joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champion, the first since boxing recognised four major belts in the 2000s.
With the win, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion can legitimately claim to be the best of this era, although a rematch expected in October could provide another twist.
Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last man to unify the heavyweight belts — three at the time — after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Undercard fight results:
Jai Opetaia def. Mairis Briedis via unanimous decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112) — For the vacant IBF cruiserweight title
Anthony Cacace def. Joe Cordina via eighth-round TKO (0:39) — For Cordina’s IBF super featherweight title
Agit Kabayel def. Frank Sanchez via seventh-round KO (2:33) — WBC heavyweight championship eliminator
Moses Itauma def. Ilija Mezencev via second-round TKO (0:50) — For the vacant WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title
Mark Chamberlain def. Joshua Wahab via first-round KO (2:42) — For the WBC silver lightweight title
Robin Sirawn Safar def. Sergey Kovalev via unanimous decision (97-92, 99-90, 95-94)
David Nyika def. Michael Seitz via fourth-round TKO (2:45)
