Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision on Sunday, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years in boxing's four-belt era. Usyk, 37, overcame an early aggressive start by Fury to gradually take control of the match, ultimately handing Fury his first career defeat. The judges scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, with one judge scoring it 114-113 for Fury.

Usyk, who remains undefeated with a professional record of 22-0, joins legendary names like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champions. His victory adds Fury's WBC title to his collection of IBF, WBA, and WBO belts, cementing his place among the all-time greats of the sport. A rematch is anticipated to take place in October, promising another exciting chapter in their rivalry.

Reflecting on his win, Usyk expressed pride and readiness for a rematch, saying, "It is a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country. It's a great time, a great day." Fury, on the other hand, acknowledged the competitive nature of the fight, stating, "I believe I won that fight... but make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion and I will be back."

The match saw Fury, known as the "Gypsy King," start strongly, using his height and reach advantage to keep Usyk at bay. However, Usyk's relentless pressure and quick combinations turned the tide in his favor. The Ukrainian landed significant blows in the later rounds, particularly a punishing hook in the eighth that left Fury in trouble. Fury managed to recover, but the ninth round saw him take a standing count before being saved by the bell.

Prominent figures in the audience included former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. The fight took place at the newly built Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcasing the country's growing investment in sports.

Usyk's journey to this historic win has been marked by consistency and excellence. From his outstanding amateur career, including European and world titles and an Olympic gold medal in 2012, to unifying the cruiserweight division before moving up to heavyweight, Usyk has consistently risen to the challenge. His victories over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and their subsequent rematch solidified his status as a formidable force in boxing.

Fury, known for his resilience and comeback stories, has had a tumultuous career with highs and lows, including struggles with substance abuse and mental health. Despite a recent split-decision win over Francis Ngannou in October, Usyk's performance against him underscores Usyk's dominance and skill in the ring.

With this victory, Usyk not only makes history but also sets the stage for potentially one of the most highly anticipated rematches in recent boxing history.