Hit the pinball music.
Oleksandr Usyk scored the biggest win of his career last night (Sat., May 18, 2024) as he handed Tyson Fury his first professional defeat via split decision from inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (watch highlights).
While the fight was very close (check out the scorecards), a huge knockdown in the eighth round ultimately gave Usyk the undisputed title win. Fury bounced around the boxing ring like a pinball, trying to keep his feet under him while also trying to protect his face, but he finally dropped in the corner and was saved by the bell.
Check out the video of the insane knockdown from ringside.
Go ringside for the moment Usyk DROPPED Fury @Usykaa | #FuryUsyk pic.twitter.com/lhyZ5x3UpX
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 19, 2024
While Fury showed his “Gypsy King” toughness, there is an argument to be made that the fight could have easily been stopped as he was not properly defending himself.
They should have stopped the fight. He touched every side of the ring and almost fell through the ropes
— Jkarl (@thekarlfam) May 19, 2024
The fight should’ve been ended here.
— 7? (@F7Xrmfc) May 19, 2024
In any other fight the ref stops that fight, just because it’s fury he doesn’t https://t.co/zP6QyAqXse
— dazzzz (@dazzzzzzz8) May 19, 2024
Boxing people if you don’t legitimately defend big punches from another heavyweight, should the referee intervene to prevent risk of permanent injury to the fighter moving on adrenaline? This to me is as good as a knock out, Fury as good as he was and is couldn’t get his hands up https://t.co/uaAjuU6whK
— char (@CharrRees) May 19, 2024
Nevertheless, Fury bounced back like the champion he was to win the 10th round on two judges’ scorecards. The 35-year-old boxer believes he won the fight.
Fury snapped his 34-fight win streak and lost his WBC Heavyweight title. Usyk, on the other hand, remains undefeated at 22-0 and is now the undisputed Heavyweight boxing champion for the first time since 1999, when Lennox Lewis was king. He is also the first four-belt undisputed Heavyweight champion.
For complete Fury vs. Usyk results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.