The world of boxing thrives on moments that leave you speechless, moments that make you question if what you just saw was real.
On a momentous night in Saudi Arabia, as the clock struck 2:40 am local time, a collective gasp resonated through the 20,000-strong crowd and millions watching around the globe.
Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian superstar, had just been declared the victor in a thrilling battle against the formidable Tyson Fury.
This wasn’t just any victory; it marked the crowning of boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion in the era of four recognized belts – a truly historic occasion.
The wait for such a champion had been agonizingly long, a wait unlike any other sport.
The last undisputed heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, reigned supreme back in 1999, a time capsule era marked by the Spice Girls topping charts and Y2K anxieties gripping society.
From the legendary Jack Dempsey to the iconic Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight division has a unique power to elevate champions to a global level, a phenomenon specific to boxing.
Usyk, already a celebrated figure in the boxing world, transcended the sport altogether in Riyadh.
His sublime footwork, masterful control of fight pace, and relentless attacks have sculpted him into a complete boxing mastermind.
But perhaps his most potent weapon is his unwavering calmness under pressure, both inside and outside the ring.
Throughout the fight week, the ever-theatrical Fury tried his best to play mind games, a tactic that usually disrupts his opponents.
Usyk, however, remained unfazed. He stood his ground even when Fury refused a customary face-off at the press conference and remained composed when a pumped-up Fury shoved him at the weigh-in.
This emotional control translated brilliantly into the fight itself. After a showboating first half from Fury, a powerful uppercut in the sixth round momentarily stunned Usyk.
Yet, the Ukrainian champion refused to panic.
The judges who scored in Usyk’s favour all agreed he dominated rounds eight through eleven, but it was the ninth round that would become the defining moment of the fight.
After patiently waiting and meticulously studying Fury’s tactics, Usyk seized his opportunity and unleashed a flurry of punches that sent the “Gypsy King” scrambling towards the ropes.
Only the bell saved Fury from a potential knockout.
The shock on his face mirrored the bewildered expressions of British fans who had just witnessed a rapper performing on a hovering stage moments before the main event.
This dramatic turnaround wasn’t entirely unexpected. Throughout his career, Usyk has consistently found ways to win.
Whether it was wearing down Tony Bellew and securing a stoppage victory despite trailing on the scorecards or digging deep to outpoint Anthony Joshua in their rematch, Usyk has an uncanny ability to triumph.
Even in defeat, Fury displayed his characteristic boisterousness at the post-fight press conference, brimming with such energy that one could have mistaken him for the victor.
But just like in the ring, the stitched-up Usyk emerged later to address the media, reclaiming his rightful place in the spotlight.
He spoke emotionally about the sacrifices that led him to the pinnacle of boxing, sacrifices that had undeniably paid off.
Usyk’s journey to this point has been phenomenal. A decorated amateur career yielded European, World, and Olympic gold medals.
He then dominated the cruiserweight division, collecting all the titles within a mere 15 professional fights.
Moving up to heavyweight, a notoriously difficult feat, Usyk only needed six fights to become a two-weight undisputed champion.
Legends like Evander Holyfield and David Haye achieved world titles in both divisions, but the undisputed heavyweight crown remained elusive.
Usyk now reigns supreme in boxing’s most glamorous division.
While recency bias might influence our judgment, it’s hard to deny the possibility that Usyk might truly be the greatest fighter of his generation.
Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, believes the fight should have ended earlier.
He argued that the referee missed a potential knockout in the ninth round, where Fury was saved by both the ropes and the bell after a relentless onslaught from Usyk.
Regardless, Usyk did enough throughout 12 rounds to secure a narrow split decision victory, with two judges scoring in his favour (115-113 and 114-113) and one judge favouring Fury (114-113).
