Oleksandr Usyk defeated British boxing sensation Tyson Fury to become the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. The event was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the Ukrainian emerged victorious on a split decision.
With a remarkable comeback, capped by a ninth-round knockout in a back-and-forth battle between two undefeated heavyweight champions, Usyk (22-0) added Fury’s WBC title to his own WBA, IBF, and IBO titles. Three judges scored it for Fury 114-113, while two gave it to Usyk 115-112 and 114-113.
Currently ranked among the best fighters in the world per punch, Oleksandr Usyk will try to establish himself further when he challenges Anthony Joshua for the world heavyweight title on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Did Oleksandr Usyk Ever Losse A Match?
Oleksandr Usyk had a 19-0 record and had won 13 of his fights by knockout. Despite having many professional bouts, Usyk had a checkered career in amateur boxing. After winning his first three games, Matvey Korobov defeated him in the semifinals. Usyk moved up to the light-heavyweight division and won the 2008 Strandja Cup.
Usyk replaced European Champion Denys Poyatsyka at the Roseto degli Abruzzi Olympic qualifying in February 2008, going up yet another weight class. There, he triumphed over formidable foes like Daniel Price and Elchin Alizade.
Usyk showed off his talent at the 2008 Olympic Games, defeating Yushan Nijiati 23–4, although he was defeated 4–7 by Clemente Russo in the quarterfinals.
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He competed in the heavyweight (91+ kg) class in the 2012–13 World Series of Boxing (WSB) as a member of team Ukraine Otamans before turning pro. He performed admirably in this competition, winning all six of his fights, two of which ended in stoppages (victories via unanimous decision over Junior Fa, unanimous decision over Eric Brechlin in the third round, unanimous decision over Joe Joyce, unanimous decision over Magomedrasul Majidov, unanimous decision over Matteo Modugno in the second round, and unanimous decision over Mihai Nistor).
Also Read: Is Oleksandr Usyk the Greatest Heavyweight Boxer of This Era?
