Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was dropped at tears whereas talking about his late father at tonight’s post-fight press convention.
Usyk (22-0) squared off towards Tyson Fury (34-1-1) this night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the winner set to change into the primary undisputed heavyweight boxing champion within the final twenty-five years.
Oleksandr Usyk had most beforehand competed in August of final yr, the place he earned a ninth-round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois. That win was after all preceded by back-to-back victories over Anthony Joshua the place he claimed after which defended the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.
As for the now former WBC champion Tyson Fury, ‘The Gypsy King’ had entered tonight’s title combat sporting a seven-fight win streak, his most up-to-date being a hotly debated cut up resolution victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
‘Fury vs. Usyk’ was arguably essentially the most anticipated boxing match of the final decade and the combat itself didn’t disappoint. The Ukranian was capable of get off to a powerful begin in rounds one and two, however Tyson Fury stormed again, particularly in rounds 5 and 6, to seemingly take the lead on the scorecards on the halfway level of the combat. Nevertheless, in spherical eight Oleksandr Usyk was capable of swing the tide again in his favor after cracking the Brit with a strong left hand that appeared to have busted his nostril. Then, in spherical 9, Usyk wobbled Fury with one other huge shot and rapidly pounced on him with a flurry of punches which ultimately led to a knockdown. Though ‘The Gypsy King’ was capable of survive the onslaught, he by no means regained his early momentum and the Ukranian proceeded to cruise by rounds 9 to 12.
Official Outcome: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury through cut up resolution (115-112, 113-114, 114-113)
Throughout tonight’s post-fight press convention, Usyk spoke candidly about his late father and have become overwhelmed with feelings:
You an actual hero, and I’m certain your father would have been so happy with you ❤️👑🥊 pic.twitter.com/VardO73miA
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) Might 19, 2024
“For me it’s arduous when my father comes again to me as a result of I bear in mind all life. I do know he’s right here, possibly sitting on the market [in the press room]. I miss my father,” he mentioned whereas wiping tears from his face. “I do know he’s right here.”
Oleksandr Usyk had after all misplaced his father shortly after successful gold on the 2012 Olympic video games. He continued by discussing the entire sacrifices he needed to make on path to turning into the undisputed champion this night:
“9 months, I labored. I missed Blissful New Yr. I missed birthday [of] my son. I missed birthday of my different son, too. I missed the birthday of my daughter. I missed [the birth] of my daughter. I missed all of my household holidays. On a regular basis, I used to be coaching, coaching, coaching. My focus was solely this combat. Now, I’m joyful. I need to [go] again residence, go to my church and pray. I need to say, ‘Jesus, thanks,’ as a result of for me and my nation, it was a giant alternative.”
In conclusion, Usyk went on to say that he felt the referee saved Fury from a certain stoppage in Spherical 9:
“I consider the referee saved Tyson from a knockout and stole the ninth-round knockout, which ought to have occurred. However, no knockout, no downside [we still won].”
Oleksandr Usyk is now anticipated to have an instantaneous rematch with Tyson Fury this coming October.