Oleksandr Usyk STUNS Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight world champion – LIVE UPDATES
Oleksandr Usyk has beaten Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in 25 years.
In a historic showdown that will send shockwaves around the world, Usyk dropped Fury in the ninth round en route to a points win.
'The Cat' claimed a split-decision victory with scorecards of 115-112 and 114-113 in his favour while the third judge gave it to Fury 114-113.
Usyk has now become the division's first ruler since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Fury vs Usyk: Undercard results
- MAIN EVENT: Oleksandr Usyk SD Tyson Fury - for WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight titles
- Jai Opetaia UD Mairis Briedis - for vacant IBF cruiserweight title
- Anthony Cacace TKO8 Joe Cordina - for IBF and IBO super-featherweight titles
- Agit Kabayel KO7 Frank Sanchez
- Moses Itauma TKO2 Ilja Mezencev
- Mark Chamberlain TKO1 Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab
- Robin Sirwan Safar UD10 Sergey Kovalev
- David Nyika TKO4 Michael Seitz
- Daniel Lapin TKO1 Octavio Pudivitr
- Isaac Lowe UD10 Hasibullah Ahmadi
Follow our live fight blog below for regular updates…
Fight week
Open workouts took place on Wednesday, when both Fury and Usyk sprung a surprise by using new stances.
Usyk - a southpaw - adopted an orthodox stance while Fury did the opposite.
Credit: Getty Can't go Ron
Ronaldo was previously spotted at Joshua's win over Otto Wallin in December next to MMA legend Conor McGregor.
Fury's controversial win against Francis Ngannou also saw the pair meet, with both laughing together before pretending to square up.
This time though, Ronaldo will have the pleasure of being next to Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight fight, with Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh to his left.
Joshua will arrive with expert knowledge on Usyk having previously fought the Ukrainian on two occasions, losing both clashes.
Credit: Getty Stars out in force
Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to watch Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk's mammoth clash together at ringside.
Some of the biggest stars in boxing and sport are set to attend the clash to see either Fury or Usyk crowned as champion.
And former heavyweight champion Joshua will be joined in esteemed company in the form of footballing royalty.
Portuguese legend Ronaldo will sit alongside him for the fight, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner having 'CR7' printed on his seat.
Credit: Michael Benson
Head-to-head record
Both fighters are undefeated heading into their historic showdown tonight.
Fury, 34-0-1, edged past MMA great Francis Ngannou is in his last outing while he beat Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte with ease in 2022.
Usyk, meanwhile, was tested by Daniel Dubois last summer before emerging victorious.
Prior to that, The Cat, 21-0, beat Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights.
Fury is the younger man but has more professional wins to his name while he will also dominate in terms of height and weight.
Tyson Fury hints at fight tactics
“It's our destiny. They didn’t have the opportunity, we do. All we have to do now is dance,” says Fury.
“I look forward to the challenge. I can outbox him, I’m a very good boxer, but I don’t really use it anymore. I can do the same [as I did vs Klitschko] to him.”
'Scary-looking dude'
At the final press conference, Fury refused to look at Usyk and when asked why he didn't look at his opponent he said: "He's a scary-looking dude."
He mouthed the words of Rocky IV theme music 'Hearts on Fire' when they were due to go head-to-head and said: "I want to thank God for the victory I've received already.
"I want to thank people for putting this event on and I want to thank Oleksandr Usyk for challenging me.
"I'm ready. I've got nothing else to say apart from I'm ready for a good fight."
Usyk was also not in a talkative mood, as he simply declared: "Let the hands do the talking".
Hello and welcome!
Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in a historic pay-per-view bout this evening and talkSPORT will keep you covered.
The two boxing superstars were set to meet earlier this year, but it was postponed after Fury suffered a cut to his eye during sparring.
The Gypsy King endured the 'freak' injury just two weeks before the bout was scheduled to take place.
However, a new date was quickly confirmed and they will take to the ring in Saudi Arabia to fight for the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.
Both fighters are aiming to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis over two decades ago.
talkSPORT will be broadcasting a live watchalong with Adam Catterall, Spencer Oliver, Sunny Edwards and Adam Smith.
That will be aired live on the radio and on YouTube from 9pm-1am, where they will dissect every moment of the action.