The fight “of a generation” kept its promises: Oleksandr Usyk became the new undisputed heavyweight champion on Sunday in Riyadh, a first in 25 years, thanks to his points victory against Tyson Fury. Two judges gave Usyk winning 115-112 and 114-113, with the third siding with Fury, at 114-113.
Usyk is the first undisputed champion in the category since Lennox Lewis, who reached the Grail in 1999 in Las Vegas following his victory against Evander Holyfield. However, at that time there were only three belts.
Fury thinks he won ‘the majority of rounds’
“The Ukrainians are hitting hard! », Greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, sending his “congratulations to the champion”. Tyson Fury moderately agreed with the Ukrainian president. The 35-year-old Briton described a “fantastic fight with Oleksandr”, believing however that he deserved to win instead of Usyk, and that the decision could have been influenced by the geopolitical context in Ukraine. “I think he won a few rounds, but I won the majority of them. I think we both put up a good fight, the best we could put up. And you know, his country is at war. People take the side of the country at war. »
Even if the two pugilists had included a rematch clause in their contract, the Briton was not very keen on the idea of activating it, revealing a possible mental wear and tear with a view to the rest of his career. immediately.
“I’m going to take a vacation, I’ll come home, I’ll discuss it with my wife and my children and I’ll see what I want to do,” he told the press. “I will be 36 in a few months. I’ve been boxing since I was little, so it’s like that,” he added. “Where will it stop? A hundred fights and brain damage, only to end up in a wheelchair? I’m not sure,” the “Gypsy King” continued.
