Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk beat Briton Tyson Fury on Sunday May 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by a split decision from the judges, becoming the first undisputed champion of the heavyweight category in twenty-five years. It is in fact the first time since Lennox Lewis in 1999 that a boxer has managed to unify the heavyweight titles (90.719 kg), the premier category of the discipline.
Before the fight, Usyk was a world champion in three of the four major international boxing federations (WBA, IBF and WBO), while his opponent, Fury, was a WBC belt holder.
Usyk, who attacked first, gradually took control of the proceedings despite a few gasps from his opponent mid-fight.
In the 9th round, the big mustachioed Ukrainian almost turned out the lights, sending the “Gypsy King”, as Fury is nicknamed because of his gypsy origins, staggering into a corner of the ring after a devastating sequence. The referee started the count, but Fury was saved by the bell.
Like Mohamed Ali or Mike Tyson
Usyk joins boxing legends to have achieved this feat, such as Mohamed Ali, Joe Louis and “Iron Mike” Tyson.
“The Ukrainians are hitting hard! », Greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, sending his “congratulations to the champion”.
Before Usyk, the last to unify the heavyweight belts was Lennox Lewis in 1999, following his victory against Evander Holyfield. But at that time there were only three belts. Oleksandr Usyk is therefore the first heavyweight to bring together all four.
