Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk is celebrating a historic night in Saudi Arabia after beating Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years. The Ukrainian deservedly came out on top in a captivating main event at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, starting extremely well and then weathering a Fury comeback in the middle rounds before almost stopping his long-time rival in the ninth and eventually taking a split decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Two had the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the very first of the four-belt era who also previously reigned as the first four-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion. Another judge controversially scored the bout 114-113 in favour of Fury, who lost his WBC belt in a first professional defeat as he plots swift revenge in a contracted rematch that is expected to take place in October.
We also saw Joe Cordina stunned by Anthony Cacace on Saturday night to lose his IBF super-featherweight title in a first career loss of his own, while Jai Opetaia outlasted Mairis Briedis to regain the IBF cruiserweight belt. Moses Itauma and Mark Chamberlain both recorded vicious early knockouts, while Agit Kabayel stopped the previously unbeaten Frank Sanchez and Sergey Kovalev's return ended in disappointing defeat by Robin Safar. Follow Fury vs Usyk reaction live below!
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Jai Opetaia beats Mairis Briedis to regain IBF cruiserweight title
Here come the judges’ scorecards...
117-111, 116-112, 116-112 - all in favour of Jai Opetaia, who takes a deserved unanimous decision to regain the IBF cruiserweight world title.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 12
Hell of a late effort from the 39-year-old Briedis and he landed some more big shots in that absorbing final round with blood smeared all over Opetaia’s face, coming from the mouth.
Opetaia tries to fight fire with fire and ends up holding on a little - that finish was very similar to the first fight two summers ago.
Too little, too late from Briedis, who took all three final rounds but was surely too far behind and needed a knockout.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 11
Briedis knows he hurt Opetaia there and tries to massively up the tempo at the start of the penultimate round.
He catches the Australian with some sharp and heavy shots at close range, but can’t quite swarm him like he needs to.
Two rounds in a row in the bag for the Latvian now, but it’s likely a case of too little, too late.
He’s surely so far behind on the cards that he needs a knockout in the 12th.
Here we go. Kitchen sink time for Briedis!
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 10
Now then!
Opetaia lands a huge left hand in the 10th but ends up seemingly holding on before the bell after being hurt by a stiff uppercut.
Some hope for Briedis at last!
He also finished strongly in the first fight remember, Opetaia fracturing his jaw in two places that night two years ago...
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 9
More of the same in a pretty scrappy ninth.
I have to say I don’t think what is a pretty tame contest is behind helped by a complete lack of atmosphere inside the Kingdom Arena.
Hopefully we don’t see that repeated in tonight’s mammoth main event.
Opetaia still on the front foot as the aggressor, controlling the tempo and doing the better work, but so many punches are being deflected off arms and gloves.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 8
This fight has really still yet to ignite with just four rounds to go, despite what looked to be promised by a lively sixth.
It’s all a bit untidy in the eighth, Opetaia still in control for me but not quite as smooth and decisive.
Not too many eye-catching punches from either man.
The busted nose doesn’t appear to be impacting Briedis too much, though it’s still bleeding.
Briedis accidentally catches Opetaia with a low blow and immediately apologises.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 7
Was that Briedis’ first round?
A little bit loose from Opetaia for the first time tonight in the seventh, losing his shape and discipline a touch.
Briedis may be 39 now with his best days behind him, but he’s still good enough to take advantage if you give him a chance to capitalise.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 6
Best round of the fight so far as both men land heavy shots and blood comes gushing out of what looks like a potential broken nose for Briedis.
He ate a couple of massive shots there, including a pulverising straight left that landed flush.
Opetaia is just so heavy-handed.
I’ve got him taking every round so far.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 5
Fair to say this isn’t the most thrilling fight for the neutral up until now and a far cry from their 2022 war.
Opetaia still in firm control for me, doing as much as he has to and not overexerting himself unnecessarily.
Just not sure how a 39-year-old Briedis wins this.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 4
This isn’t the most explosive performance from Opetaia so far, but it’s really impressive, controlling stuff.
Everything he throws looks so heavy, he’s controlling the pace and distance so well, throwing to the body with menace.
He’s fast, durable and powerful with lovely footwork. That’s hard to beat.
Briedis is trying to stay busy, but he just can’t hurt Opetaia at the moment.
It’s all very comfortable for the Australian, who must be 4-0 up on the cards.