Oleksandr Usyk was too fast and quick for Tyson Fury in their heavyweight world champion fight on May 18, 2024, in Saudi Arabia. The bout, held in Riyadh, saw Usyk’s agility and technical prowess overwhelm Fury’s size and power.
In the ninth round, Tyson was just fending off the onslaught by Usyk, which almost ended with a standing 10 count that was saved by the bell. Usyk’s relentless pressure and precise combinations had Fury reeling, with many observers noting that the referee could have stopped the fight at that moment.
At the end, it was a split decision with scores of 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk, while the third judge scored it 114-113 for Fury. This is Fury’s first professional loss, altering his record to 34-1-1, with 34 wins, including 24 by knockout, one loss, and one draw. Usyk’s victory extended his unbeaten professional record to 22-0.
In the post-fight interview, Fury was adamant he had won, stating, “I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority.” Despite his confidence, the judges’ scores reflected Usyk’s superior performance throughout the fight.
Usyk now holds the WBC belt he took from Fury, unifying all four major belts (WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC). In his post-match interview, Usyk thanked his team and expressed gratitude for his family’s support and his country, Ukraine. He dedicated his victory to the resilience and spirit of his homeland.