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9 hours ago
Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik defeated Briton Tyson Fury in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight boxing champion.
The fight lasted 12 rounds, and Usik won by a split decision: 115:112, 113:114, 114:113. In the ninth round, the Ukrainian knocked down his opponent, but he was able to continue the fight.
Now Usik owns titles in all four of the most prestigious versions – WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.
37-year-old Usik has won all his fights in the professional ring, and for 35-year-old Fury this is the first defeat in his career.
Their fee for the fight, according to various sources, was about $100 million between them.
Photo copyright: Reuters
“I think I won this fight, maybe he won a few rounds, but most of them were on me. We both had a good fight. His country is at war, so people take the side of the warring country. In my opinion, I won the fight,” Fury commented on the judges’ decision.
Usik immediately agreed to a rematch.
After winning the ring, the Ukrainian turned to his late father: “Father, can you hear me? We did it! We did it! Thank you very much to my team, thank you to my God, Jesus. Great time, great day. Tyson, without you this fight would not have been possible. Immediate rematch? Yes, sure. I’m ready for revenge.”
Photo copyright: Reuters
Photo caption: 35-year-old Briton Tyson Fury suffered the first defeat of his professional career
The fight, which ended on Sunday night in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, was postponed several times. It was initially set for December 2023, but Fury then requested time to recover from another fight. The meeting was postponed to February, but the fight did not take place even then due to Fury’s cut in training.
The match was watched by 20 thousand people, including many celebrities, at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
