Oleksandr Usyk has emerged victorious over Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, following a thrilling split decision triumph in Riyadh. Usyk added Fury’s WBC title to his existing WBA, IBF, and WBO belts, solidifying his status as the top heavyweight boxer.


The fight, dubbed “the fight of the century,” was a dramatic spectacle, with Fury surviving a brutal knockout in the ninth round. Despite his victory, Usyk was rushed to the hospital with a suspected broken jaw, an injury sustained during the intense battle.

Usyk also took some heavy body shots but still came through to win a split decision

Usyk’s victory, while monumental, may be short-lived in terms of his undisputed status. Boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported that Usyk’s time as the undisputed champion could last less than two weeks. Both Fury and Usyk’s contracts dictate that they must vacate the IBF title ahead of the overdue mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic’s bout with Daniel Dubois. This means Usyk may only be able to call himself the undisputed champion for a matter of weeks.

Oleksandr Usyk (back left) was rushed to hospital in Saudi Arabia with a suspected broken jaw

Tyson Fury, when asked about the split decision and the possibility that the judges favored Usyk because of the war in Ukraine, responded pragmatically. “It was what it was. It’s not up to the fighters. One of the judges had me winning, two of them didn’t. It was what it was,” Fury stated, indicating his acceptance of the decision despite the disappointment.

Tyson Fury claimed Usyk didn't attend the press conference because he needed treatment

Due to his injury, Oleksandr Usyk will not be participating in the post-fight press conference. The broken jaw, which has landed him in the hospital, underscores the brutal nature of the fight and the toll it took on both fighters.

Usyk was seen spitting out his gumshield at the end of rounds, and Fury believes he inflicted significant damage on his opponent's jaw

The aftermath of this historic bout leaves several questions unanswered. The contractual obligations regarding the IBF title mean the undisputed status is in flux, and fans are left to speculate about future matchups. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the immediate future of the heavyweight division and the legacy of both Usyk and Fury.