The first undisputed heavyweight title fight in 25 years delivered on every promise. Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, flooring Tyson Fury in the ninth round en route to a split-decision victory that cemented the Ukrainian as the No. 1 heavyweight in boxing. The fight, which matched the two consensus best heavyweights of this era, transcended expectations and delivered an instant classic that will be remembered for years.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from the fight, expanded with deeper context and analysis.

Usyk-Fury exceeded even the loftiest expectations

Any boxing fan will tell you that Usyk-Fury was the most significant heavyweight fight of the 21st century, perhaps the most significant fight period since Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao in 2015. While Usyk-Fury didn't garner the mainstream attention of some cross-over events, within the combat sports world it doesn't get any bigger than what unfolded in Riyadh. The fight somehow managed to exceed its already high expectations, becoming an instant classic between the two best heavyweights in the world. It will likely be on some Fight of the Year lists in December.

The several momentum shifts are what made it so entertaining and dramatic. Usyk took an early lead with his superior boxing skills, footwork, and angles. Fury, known for his adaptability and ring IQ, then adjusted and took full control at the halfway point, using his size, reach, and feints to stifle Usyk's offense. But then Usyk rallied in the last handful of rounds, punctuated by his ninth-round knockdown that shook Fury to his core. That knockdown, a perfectly timed left hand followed by a flurry, was the decisive moment. Usyk felt like the rightful winner after 36 minutes of action, but the closeness of the fight meant no one was certain until the scorecards were read. The twists and turns are exactly what you want out of a heavyweight title fight of this magnitude.

To fully appreciate the magnitude, one must consider the historical backdrop. The last undisputed heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999. Since then, the heavyweight division had been fragmented, with multiple champions and no single king. Usyk and Fury were the last two champions to unify the four belts (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO). The fight was years in the making, delayed by contract disputes, Fury's mandatory defense against Dillian Whyte, and Usyk's rematches with Anthony Joshua. When it finally happened, it was a collision of two undefeated champions with vastly different styles: the lumbering, psychological game of Fury versus the agile, technical precision of Usyk.

Usyk winning makes the rematch even bigger

Had Fury beaten Usyk, an immediate rematch might have felt a tad unnecessary, especially with a potential blockbuster fight against Anthony Joshua looming. Fury was only a small betting favorite against Usyk, but he was the No. 1 heavyweight, the lineal champ, and the A-side in terms of drawing power. Many viewed Usyk as just a roadblock to finally making Fury-Joshua happen. Of course, Usyk and Fury were going to fight for a second time in 2024 regardless of who won Saturday. They signed a two-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, with an immediate rematch already planned for Oct. 12 in Riyadh.

But the fact Usyk came out on top, combined with the excitement of the first fight, makes the rematch much bigger than it would have been had Fury won. Boxing fans will be eager to see if the Gypsy King can avenge the first loss of his professional career, regain the heavyweight throne, and save the lucrative Joshua fight. Alternatively, if Usyk can prove his victory was no fluke and further cement himself as the top heavyweight, his legacy will be even more secure. The rematch will likely be one of the most anticipated fights of the second half of 2024.

The stakes are also high for the boxing business. A Fury victory would restore the possibility of Fury vs. Joshua, a fight that has been discussed for years and would generate enormous revenue. A second Usyk win, however, would potentially lead to a trilogy or a fight with the winner of the Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou or other contenders. The narrative now has a clear hero and villain: Usyk the humble champion versus Fury the defiant king seeking redemption. The storylines are richer, and the anticipation is palpable.

Usyk deserves consideration for No. 1 pound-for-pound

Usyk may not surpass Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, but he is at least in the conversation after beating Fury. Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 and the first of the four-belt era. He joins Crawford and Inoue as the only three fighters to win undisputed titles in two weight classes during the four-belt era. Usyk captured the undisputed cruiserweight belt in 2018 and has run rampant through the heavyweight division since moving up in 2019, beating Joshua twice, defending his titles against Daniel Dubois, and now unifying the division against Fury.

At 37 years old, Usyk has done all this while maintaining an undefeated record, going into mega fights as the underdog time and again and prevailing. Even Crawford, widely considered No. 1 pound-for-pound, thinks there is a case to be made for Usyk. Crawford tweeted after the fight: 'Man yall better put some respect on @usykaa man. He definitely a candidate for 1 P4P fighter in the world. I'm no hater. He beat the man that beat the man in a bigger division, giving what he's already done. Salute brother!'

Usyk does not get the same attention as Canelo Alvarez, Fury, or Ryan Garcia, but his pound-for-pound accomplishments stack up against anyone's. Consider his resume: He became undisputed cruiserweight champion by defeating Murat Gassiev and then moving up to heavyweight. He outboxed Anthony Joshua to win the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO belts in 2021, then beat him again in the rematch. He stopped Daniel Dubois in 2023 after a controversial low blow. And now he has beaten the lineal champion Fury. In terms of quality of opposition, few can match Usyk's list. The pound-for-pound debate is subjective, but Usyk's case is strong, especially given that he operates at heavyweight, the glamour division, and has defeated all comers.

Beyond his achievements, Usyk's fighting style is a testament to skill overcoming size. He is not a huge heavyweight, often giving up weight and reach, but his footwork, head movement, and understanding of distance are masterful. His ability to switch stances, throw combinations from unexpected angles, and maintain a high work rate over 12 rounds is rare. The ninth-round knockdown of Fury was a perfectly executed sequence: a feint to set up a left hand that stunned Fury, followed by a relentless assault that forced the referee to intervene. It was a moment of pure boxing brilliance.

Looking ahead, the heavyweight division is now in Usyk's hands. He has the belts, the recognition, and the leverage to call the shots. Whether he fights the rematch with Fury, then possibly Joshua, or even a fight with the winner of other matchups, his legacy is secure. He has already done something no one else has in the four-belt era: unified the heavyweight division. For a man who started his professional career at cruiserweight, this is an incredible achievement. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if he can retain his titles and continue to build his legend.

Source: Thescore News