Tyson Fury Says The Ukraine War Was Responsible For His Defeat To Oleksandr Usyk.

Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury by split decision to become the undisputed champion of the world, winning the WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO heavyweight world title.

Fury and Usyk were fighting at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to decide the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in 25 years, the first of the four-belt era.

It was an incredible performance as Usyk weathers Fury's storm, adapts and ultimately outclasses him, cementing himself as the greatest of this era. He becomes boxing's first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.

Following the expected cagey opening exchange, the fight heated up, with Fury and Usyk trading vicious blows in the second and third rounds.

Fury suffered a split-decision points defeat on the dramatic night despite beginning well but was given a standing 10 count and saved by the bell after an Usyk onslaught in the ninth round.

At the end of the 12 rounds, a tense wait followed for the scorecards to be read out, Fury appeared convinced of victory before a stony-faced Usyk broke down in tears when he was confirmed as the winner.

The scorecards from the judges read; 115-112 and 114-113 for the Ukrainian, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury.

Both competitors entered this fight in Saudi Arabia unbeaten; Fury is now losing for the first time in his last 36 professional bouts in 16-years, while Usyk, 39, continues to have a flawless record.

The 35-year-old British boxer Fury will get an immediate opportunity for revenge with a rematch planned for later this year.

"I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them." a defiant Fury said in the ring.

"His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.

"It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I'll be back.

"We go back to our families and we run it back in October, I am not going to sit here and cry and make excuses."

Usyk on the other hand, takes the WBC belt from Fury, to add to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection, the 37-year-old Ukrainian remains unbeaten and is the first boxer in almost 25 years to stand tall as the sport's sole heavyweight world champion.

"Thank you so much for my team. It's a big opportunity for my family, for my country. It's a great time, it's a great day" Usyk said afterwards. "I'm very happy.

"My people will be very happy I think, it's a big win, not only for me, it's a big win for my country, for soldiers who now defend my country.

"I think my father now is watching over me and is very happy. Dad, I love you. I can, you told me I can.

“I thank God for the help he gave me today because he did give me a lot today. My lord is Jesus Christ.

"I am ready for a rematch."

Usyk stated that he had been planning for this fight since 2008.

He said, “Since 2008 I was planning for this. It’s not for my win, it’s for my God, my supporters, my country, the Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian mother and father, children.

"I want to go to my home, I want to rest, a break, I want to eat, sleep, kiss my wife.”

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk has a guaranteed rematch clause with the second fight planned for Oct 12th/13th.