Oleksandr Usyk made history by beating Tyson Fury to crown himself the undisputed heavyweight king on Saturday night in Riyadh.
It was a truly stunning occasion to witness from a ringside seat, as talkSPORT.com was privileged enough to do, seeing every punch up close from the first bell until the last.
Electric anticipation built for the main event throughout the night.
The Kingdom Arena, constructed in a matter of months for Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou last October, quickly filled up as the undercard progressed.
The unique modern venue, which also hosts football as Al Hilal’s new home, seats 23,000 with three conventional stands opposed by one consisting mainly of 20 luxury boxes.
As the main event approached, stars from boxing and beyond arrived at ringside.
Football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar were among the main attractions, both of whom of course now ply their trade in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo arrived and sat next to Anthony Joshua, who was ringside hoping to fight the winner in 2025.
Other famous footballers such as Steven Gerrard and Andriy Shevchenko also attended, supporting Fury and Usyk respectively.
Hollywood stars Liev Schreiber and Jean-Claude Van Damme were ringside too, alongside a host of boxing legends.
Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Wladimir Klitschko, Antonio Tarver, Roberto Duran and Marco Antonio Barrera all witnessed the event up close.
Amir Khan and Kell Brook both attended too and old enemies David Haye and Derek Chisora reunited.
Prior to the main event itself, the ex-fighters were in awe as Anthony Cacace upset the odds to stop Joe Cordina and become IBF super-featherweight world champion on the undercard.
The surprise result drew a big response from the crowd, and Cacace’s fellow Northern Irishman Carl Frampton celebrated his countryman following in his footsteps as a champion from the commentary booth.
Fury and Usyk’s regular appearances on the big screens were the only other thing to generate as big of a roar from the crowd as Cacace’s triumph.
In the co-main event, today’s best cruiserweight Jai Opetaia won back his IBF world title by dominating Mairis Briedis, prompting ex-champion Haye to turn around from his commentary position and admit to reporters, ‘He would’ve been a hard night!’
When everyone took their seats before the main event, the enormous screens above the ring lowered to reveal a stage in which a brief rap concert was performed.
The atmosphere was red hot before Usyk’s ice cold ring walk and Fury’s all action entrance, as both men finally stepped into the squared circle with one another.
Michael Buffer spoke his famous words, “Let’s get ready to rumble,” and then it was just Fury, Usyk and referee Mark Nelson in between them.
As the fight took place, fans of both fighters chanted their names and loudly celebrated every clean punch landed.
At the halfway stage, as Fury appeared to be taking control of the fight, he peered over the ropes and stuck his tongue out at ringside reporters, showboating throughout the contest.
However, in the ninth round the arena went wild as Usyk battered him from pillar to post and scored a knockdown, with thousands leaping out of their seats simultaneously.
Fury survived and battled on valiantly, but was ultimately outclassed.
When the final bell rang, Usyk celebrated victory and was crowned the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion by split decision.
A rematch is already planned for October, but those in attendance will certainly not be quick to forget the historic first battle between these two warriors that took place on May 18, 2024.
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News Summary:
- This was an undisputed fight in every sense and Oleksandr Usyk will go down as a heavyweight great after beating Tyson Fury in front of star-studded crowd
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