Boxing

TYSON FURY pulled off the “virtually impossible” during his undisputed heavyweight bout with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King was lauded for his work in the early rounds as he went head to head with Usyk in Riyadh – but ultimately saw it all count for nothing as Usyk came out on top.Tyson Fury has been lauded for doing the ‘virtually impossible’ against Oleksandr UsykCredit: ReutersHis early rounds even saw him do some showboatingCredit: ReutersThe “Ring of Fire” fight was as exciting as anticipated and Fury was heaped with praise for one specific part of his game plan during the clash.Darren Fletcher, who was TNT Sports’ lead commentator for the fight, was left impressed by Fury’s combinations.The Brit landed a number of combinations on Usyk during the fourth round, something known to be extremely difficult to do against the Ukrainian, who is a tactically brilliant fighter.Fletcher said: “He’s [Fury] hit Oleksandr Usyk with combinations and people who’ve been in the ring with him say that’s virtually impossible.”READ MORE IN BOXINGUsyk had his moments too as The Cat put on a dominant display in the ninth round, almost knocking Fury to the ground in the process.But Fury was saved by the referee’s intervention with a standing count and then the bell and lived to fight another round.Ultimately Usyk’s efforts proved fruitful as the southpaw was crowned as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.After months of build up and a 25-year wait for a new undisputed heavyweight champ, Usyk won by split decision.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe tightly fought affair was scored 115-112, 113-114, 114-113 in Usyk’s favour by the judges.Speaking immediately after winning the fight, Usyk told DAZN: “Thank you so much to my team and thank you so much to God and Jesus.Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo chat and smile at ringside ahead of Fury vs UsykFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else

OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

“It’s a big opportunity for me and for my family. For my country!”Fury now has a 34-1-1 record and has the opportunity of a rematch with Usyk to get a second shot at being the undisputed world champ.Oleksandr Usyk was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: ReutersUsyk landed some huge hits on FuryCredit: ReutersThe Gypsy King was close to hitting the deck during the boutCredit: GettyFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict

HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114 More

OLEKSANDR USYK produced a sensational performance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century.The Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury via split decision to take the Gypsy King’s undefeated record with all of the heavyweight belts on the line.Tyson Fury took on Oleksandr Usyk for sporting immortality in RiyadhCredit: ReutersFury, 35, showboated in the ringCredit: PAWith sporting immortality up for grabs, the night was always going to include fireworks.Here’s how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the action unfold.ROUND ONEHere we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.READ MORE IN SPORTThe Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUsyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement.Verdict: Fury 9-10 UsykOleksandr Usyk DETHRONES Tyson Fury with huge split decision victory at Ring of FireROUND TWOUsyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king.That round goes to Fury.Verdict: Fury 10-9 UsykFury aims a jab at UsykCredit: ReutersThe Gypsy King cut a confident figure early onCredit: ReutersROUND THREEFury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell.Verdict: Fury 9-10 UsykROUND FOURFury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left.Verdict: Fury 10-9 UsykROUND FIVEUsyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff.Verdict: Fury 10-9 UsykThe Gypsy King dodges a shot from UsykCredit: ReutersFury had plenty of joy during the first half of the boutCredit: ReutersFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

ROUND SIXUsyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior.Fury 10-9 UsykROUND SEVENUsyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shotUsyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell.Verdict: Fury 10-9 UsykThe Gypsy King had plenty of joy around the mid-stages of the fightCredit: GettyFury did have to withstand his fair share of pressureCredit: PAROUND EIGHTFury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk.Verdict: Fury 9-10 UsykROUND NINEFury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.Fury doesn’t know where he is. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him.Verdict: Fury 8-10 UsykUsyk rocked Fury in a dominant ninth roundCredit: ReutersUsyk took control of the fight late onCredit: GettyROUND TENUsyk – like the big ‘Cat’ he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion.Verdict: Fury 9-10 UsykROUND ELEVENA desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk.Verdict: Fury 9-10 UsykROUND TWELVEThe fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.READ MORE SUN STORIESVerdict: Fury 10-9 UsykSunSport’s score: Fury 113-114 UsykOleksandr Usyk celebrates his incredible victoryCredit: ReutersUsyk, 37, holds the Ukrainian flag after producing his amazing winCredit: GettyUsyk and Fury share a moment of respect at the end of the fightCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY’S unbeaten record was ground to dust in the Saudi desert.Ukrainian warrior Oleksandr Usyk outpointed Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis a quarter of a century ago.Oleksandr Usyk became the first man to beat Tyson FuryCredit: PAUsyk celebrates his famous victoryCredit: GettyFury believed he won the fightCredit: ReutersUsyk is three stones lighter and seven inches shorter than Britain’s Gypsy King but this toughest of cookies proved that a good little ‘un can defeat a good big ‘un, contrary to boxing’s oldest adage.Especially when the smaller man possesses a heart the size of Usyk’s.A compelling, high-class contest was neck-and-neck until the end of the ninth round when Usyk landed a crushing left hook which turned Fury’s legs to custard and left him facing a standing count.The judges gave it to Usyk on a split decision, yet it ought to have been unanimous.READ MORE IN boxingIt was a first defeat in 36 professional bouts for Fury – who started off showboating, then began to dominate but was finally battered into near submission by Usyk’s extraordinary counter-attack.And so Fury surrenders his WBC belt to Usyk – although this was such a brilliant battle that a scheduled rematch later this year will hold extreme intrigue.Riyadh might be the polar opposite to Las Vegas but the Saudi capital is now the undisputed fight capital of the world – and so a decent number of Brits had made it over for a dry weekend in the Middle East.The pre-match build-up was much the same as it would have been anywhere – headbutting, argy-bargy, trash-talking and God-thanking.Most read in BoxingAlthough there were also millions of tributes paid to ‘His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’, the key player in the sportswashing Saudification of elite boxing.Should such a historic fight have been held in a nation with no tradition and little interest in the sport?Probably not. The counter-argument is that without the obscene wealth the Saudis are willing to lavish on fighters, such elite unification contests might never happen.There had been widespread talk of Fury’s powers waning.Emotional Oleksandr Usyk IN TEARS as he pays tribute to his father after beating Tyson FuryA controversial win over UFC fighter Francis Ngannou late last year was followed by a serious cut sustained in a sparring session which saw this bout moved from its original February date.But Fury has been doubted far more gravely in the past, when his physical and mental health collapsed, along with a failed drug test, after he dethroned Wladimir Klitshcko back in 2015.He had never previously lacked sharpness for his most serious tests.Usyk had become a professional Brit-slayer in recent years, having seen off Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Daniel Dubois as well as his two victories over Anthony Joshua.Usyk lands the big left hand on FuryCredit: PAFury was left tottering backwardsCredit: GettyUsyk was on the verge of a stoppage victoryCredit: PAFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else

OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

But this was always going to be the defining fight of his career. A former unified world cruiserweight champion, he was here in just his 22nd professional fight, looking to claim the undisputed king of the big-boy division.There were Saudi-based luminaries such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Steven Gerrard in attendance, as well as several legends of the fight game including Joshua, Klitschko, Lewis and Evander Holyfield, the man he had defeated to become undisputed champion in 1999.The pre-fight atmosphere was better than usual for a Saudi-based fight but not a patch on a sold-out Wembley, the lack of intoxicating liquid never helping matters.After a lengthy undercard and a rap concert, a stony-faced Usyk strode out first in traditional Ukrainian dress, complete with a feather in his fur-lined hat.Then Fury, dancing and shadow-boxing to Barry White and Bonnie Tyler in one of his lower-key ring walks.Then after Michael Buffer had readied us for the rumble, Fury was straight into showboating mode, bobbing his head manically from side to side in the corner, Usyk sticking his tongue out in retaliation.Those sort of histrionics might unsettle many opponents but Usyk is ice-cool and unflappable.The Ukrainian landed the best punch of the opener with a powerful left hook.Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict

HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

In the second, Fury was more business-like, scoring with a couple of telling body shots, though Usyk was also enjoying some success.The ham-acting was back in the fourth – Fury lowering his guard, then raising his arms, but also landing some decent shots and settling into his rhythm to win the round.Fury was beginning to combine flamboyance with vehemence to good effect – that eccentric jitterbugging gait of his and those debilitating shots to the body.Twice in the sixth round, Fury connected with vicious uppercuts which rocked back the smaller man. Then after more showboating in the corner, he leapt straight back into attack.At halfway to the full distance, the Brit was establishing dominance.Yet Usyk showed the heart of a champion in the seventh, Fury forced to take a couple of thumping head shots, then an impressive one-two just before the bell.Fury began the eighth with a stunning combination of his own but the Ukrainian responded in kind in a proper slug-fest.At the end of the ninth, Usyk scored with a cracking left hook which sent Fury sprawling on to the ropes, followed swiftly by a right which left his legs wobbling.READ MORE SUN STORIESSoon the Brit was taking a standing count from ref Mark Nelson.Fury was in serious strife, clinging for dear life and could not land the knock-out blow he must have known he needed as the minutes counted down.Fury’s nose was covered in bloodCredit: ReutersBoth boxers embrace post-fightCredit: GettyA rematch is already eyed for OctoberCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY was literally saved by the bell in truly dramatic fashion against Oleksandr Usyk.After a slow start, the unbeaten Gypsy King looked to be taking control of the undisputed world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh.Tyson Fury was in real trouble against Oleksandr UsykCredit: PAThe Gypsy King looked up in desperationCredit: TNT SportsHe was slumped against the ropesCredit: TNT SportsUsyk looked on course to seal a dramatic winCredit: TNT SportsThe referee jumped in to separate the pairCredit: TNT SportsFury looked completely dazed and lost in the ringCredit: TNT SportsTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE THRILLERHowever, Usyk turned the tide again in emphatic fashion in the ninth round.And the Ukrainian absolutely peppered his opponent with a flurry of massive shots.Fury was clearly struggling as he stumbled around the ring seemingly totally dazed.Then he slumped down against the ropes and looked up pretty helpless – with a knockdown officially scored.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut just as Usyk was tightening the screw and looking to close in on a historic win, the referee pulled the pair apart and gave the Brit a standing count.Then the klaxon sounded followed by the bell as Fury escaped.However, David Haye could not believe what he saw as he said: “I don’t know why the referee gave him a count.”But it was only to delay Fury’s pain.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is because Fury lost for the first time in his career thanks to an incredible split decision – all sparked by Usyk’s sensational comeback in round nine.Confident and charismatic Fury wowed his supporters with his sensational ring walk – which featured singing along to Barry White and Bonnie Tyler.Oleksandr Usyk DETHRONES Tyson Fury with huge split decision victory at Ring of FireFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else

OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

That lifted the mood inside the stadium – which was pretty flat and underwhelming during the undercard.One fan joked there was “more atmosphere in Greggs” and another quipped you could “hear a mouse fart”.There was a star-studded line-up ringside for the mega fight night – with Cristiano Ronaldo sat next to Anthony Joshua.But the iconic Portuguese footballer was sensationally booed by some members of the crowd as he made his way to the seat.Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

Usyk came out of the blocks flying and immediately put his opponent under pressure in the opening stages.But in the very first round, the Gypsy King showed total confidence as he showboated to the crowd, leaning against the ropes and looking out into the crowd with his mouth wide open.READ MORE SUN STORIESFury trailed early on but then dominated for large parts of the fight before the sudden turnaround in round nine.And Usyk continued to end strongly before taking the victory with a stunning split decision – ending Fury’s unbeaten professional record.Fury showboated in the opening roundCredit: ReutersUsyk was crowned undisputed world heavyweight championCredit: ReutersThere was plenty of respect between the two after the final bellCredit: Getty More

ONE brave punter placed a huge bet on Moses Itauma, but only won enough to pay for his dinner.A boxing fan watching on from home decided to stake a whopping £800 on 19-year-old Brit sensation Itauma to win his bout on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.A daredevil punter staked £800 on Moses Itauma to win his fight tonightCredit: GettyItauma dominated his opponent, Ilja Mezencev, winning by knockout in the second round and earning the fan a measly £24.24Credit: PAItauma, who has been touted as the ‘British Mike Tyson’, faced Ilja Mezencev as he looked to maintain his perfect record as a pro.And given Itauma’s reputation and form, one punter risked a stunning £800 stake on the star to win by KO, TKO or disqualification at odds of just 1/33.Fortunately for the daredevil armchair fan, Itauma pummelled his opponent and won the bout by knockout in the second round as expected.With the Kent fighter huge favourite to win the fight, the brave punter won a measly £24.24 from their mammoth stake.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut the gutsy gambler didn’t seem too disappointed with their winnings as they took to social media to explain it had paid for their dinner.They wrote: “Just paid for the curry I’m about to order”.Fans couldn’t believe the crazy bet and replied in the comments with their reactions.One wrote: “Sort of respect it in some sick way.”Most read in BoxingWhile another added: “Not worth the high blood pressure.”A third joked: “Nah that ain’t worth the stress.”And a fourth commented: “Free curry is a free curry I suppose.”The lucky fan even posted a photo of his meal afterwards alongside a thank you to Itauma for winning the bout.Fans and boxing experts alike have their eyes firmly set on Itauma who looks to have a huge future ahead of him in the sport.The youngster has his own heart set on becoming the youngest world champion in history with spring 2025 as his aim to achieve the feat.He told SunSport earlier this year: “Me and my brother have talked about me breaking that record and just looking at the dates and the maths, it is very doable.”Karol told me, ‘If anyone can do it then you can.’ And I believe I can do it.”TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More