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It's a wrap. We now have our first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in a rematch of all-time greats in November 1999 in Las Vegas.
Oleksandr Usyk floored Tyson Fury in Round 9 en route to a split-decision victory early Sunday at a sold-out Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This was every bit as competitive as the shifting -105 line between both fighters indicated coming into the highly anticipated bout. At times it appeared as if Fury would walk away victorious. Usyk could have won the fight then and there had it not been for a timely bell in Fury's favor, but that knockdown wound up being the difference on the scorecards, writes Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports.
"Is great time. Is great day," Ukraine's Usyk said after the fight. "Is big opportunity for my team, for my family, for my country!"
Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, was asked about the fight following the victory.
“I’m exhausted,” he says.” I was cheering. I was making music the whole fight. But, like no disrespect to the referee [Mark Nelson], but he I think he saw a KO in the ninth. That’s my opinion, but anyway, it was a tremendous performance. It was something unbelievable. And I hope to see even more in the rematch.”
Fury wasn't convinced Usyk had won the fight but still accepted the results.
"I believe I won that fight. I believe he won a few of the rounds but I won the majority of them. What can you do?" Fury said. "We both put on a good fight, best we could do. His country's at war, so people are siding with the country at war, but make no mistake, I won that fight and I'll be back. I've got a rematch clause."
Usyk was asked if he wants the contracted return match before departing the ring.
“Of course!” he said. “I’m ready for a rematch. Listen. We do a good fight, yes?”
The contract for the fight allowed for the loser to trigger an immediate rematch, which is what occurred. The only other option available to Usyk is retirement. Usyk had already indicated he will continue boxing after this fight regardless of the outcome.
And well beyond the two-fight deal with Fury.
“Yes, of course, I am going to continue boxing. Maybe up to three more years,” Usyk told Boxing Scene.
“My motivation for fighting is discipline, family and fans. I appreciate the support of the people and the Ukrainian soldiers.
"This is my motivation. We are capable of more with good work. … My biggest win is yet to come.
"It will happen when my soul is delivered to paradise.
“I feel good. The Fury fight is a big event for me, my family and my country. I can't wait.
"I'm not thinking about the knockout. My focus is on boxing. If I can, it will be a knockout. If not, it will be a 12-round win.”
Those odds would likely be -105 each way once again even with Usyk the champion. BetOnline was expected to release odds on a rematch or either man's next fight in the coming days.
Usyk's Undisputed Reign Will Last Two Weeks
The IBF title will be formally stripped ahead of the bout between mandatory challengers Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois on June 1.
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