Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk result, scorecards and rematch clause as Ukrainian becomes undisputed champion

Oleksandr Usyk has been crowned undisputed heavyweight champion after the narrowest of split decision wins against Tyson Fury

Usyk prevailed after an agonising wait following the final bell in Saudi Arabia. He took two cards 115-112 from Manuel Oliver Palomo and 114-113 from Mike Fitzgerald, with Fury taking the third 114-113 from Craig Metcalfe.  

The fight went to the three ringside judges after 12 gripping rounds at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO titles. Not since Lennox Lewis in 1999 has there been an undisputed heavyweight champion. 

While Fury showboated, it was Usyk who settled into his rhythm quicker in the opening quarter of the fight, catching the ‘Gypsy King’ with two big left hands. 

Having been content to let the Ukrainian make the early running Fury was more on the front foot in the fourth round as the fight really began to heat up. He then really made a dent in Usyk in the sixth, one uppercut rocking the former undisputed cruiserweight champion with the momentum at that point firmly in Fury’s favour.  

Usyk responded well in the seventh, enjoying some success of his own as he looked to turn the tide. He did just that, with blood starting to flow from Fury’s nose in the eighth with the high-quality action showing no sign of letting up. 

The massive moment of the fight came in the ninth with Fury seconds from losing when out on his feet after an Usyk onslaught. The Brit staggered around the ring but didn’t hit the canvas, referee Mark Nelson issuing a count having adjudged he was being kept up by the ropes. 

Saved by the bell, Fury managed to regroup in the 10th but Usyk landed the cleaner shots in the 11th. The best shot of the final round was a right hand from Fury which seemed to knock the Ukrainian back. 

Then it was all eyes on the scorecards and it couldn’t have got much closer as Fury tasted defeat for the first time in his career. A rematch is part of the contract signed for the fight and it is believed it could take place in October.