Alexander Usik became the absolute world super heavyweight boxing champion.
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The Ukrainian boxer won these titles in a difficult fight against the British Tyson Fury. The fight took place on the night of May 19 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Now Usik owns all the belts – WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and WBC. The absolute super heavyweight champion, who had everything explained, has been gone for 25 years. This event occurred for the first time since 1999.
Usyk defended the WBA, WBO and IBF championship belts and tried to take away the WBC title that belonged to Fury. In the debut of the fight, the Ukrainian was more active, who during the first half of the fight struck more often and pinned Fury in the corner. The Briton tried to catch his opponent with counterattacks, and in the sixth round he dealt the Ukrainian several strong blows.
The seventh round was difficult and very active, where the boxers exchanged precise blows. In the eighth round, Usyk was able to punch Fury right in the nose, after which the Briton began bleeding. The ninth round could have ended with an early victory for the Ukrainian, but the judge counted only a knockdown – only the ring ropes allowed Fury to stand on his feet after a series of accurate blows from Usik.
The winner was determined by the judges after 12 rounds. The Ukrainian defeated the Briton by split decision – 115-112, 114-113 and 113-114. After the fight, Fury announced a rematch against the Ukrainian in October 2024, and Usik agreed to this.
Absolute world heavyweight champion Alexander Usik addressed his late father after the fight.
Father, can you hear me, we did it! Thank you very much to my team, thank God. This is a great opportunity for me and my country. Great times, great day,” said Usyk.
EVERY knockdown from a STACKED card �#FuryUsyk | #RingOfFire | #RiyadhSeason
|@Turki_alalshikhpic.twitter.com/BGXovGB5KV— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 19, 2024
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky immediately after the fight congratulated Usik on his victory.
Ukrainians hit hard! And in the end all our opponents will be overcome. Alexander Usik is the absolute world champion! A difficult battle to prove: Ukrainian endurance and strength give birth to Ukrainian victory. Congratulations, champion! Congratulations, country! Glory to Ukraine! – the head of state wrote on Telegram.
Let us remind you that on the eve of the fight, the so-called duel of views between Alexander Usik and Tyson Fury did not take place. The British boxer did not turn to face the Ukrainian and kept looking in the direction of the audience.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.