- Oleksandr Usyk had a message for his late father after beating Tyson Fury
- He delivered the message in Ukrainian during a post-fight interview with DAZN
- Usyk is the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis
Oleksandr Usyk has delivered an emotional message to his late father after beating Tyson Fury in Riyadh, it has been revealed.
Usyk became the first undisputed four-belt world heavyweight champion of the era thanks to his split-decision win over Fury, scoring 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.
The Ukrainian extended his winning record to 22 fights and has once again cemented his place among the all-time greats.
As DAZN rammed a microphone into the mouth of the man everyone wanted to hear from, he first took a moment to share his success with his late father.
‘Dad, can you hear me? We did it!’ he said in Ukrainian, according to journalist Ine Back Iversen.
Oleksandr Usyk had a moment with his late father after beating Tyson Fury in their title fight
Usyk (left) made a stunning comeback on Saturday evening in Riyadh by beating Fury (right).
Usyk’s father died shortly after his son won Olympic gold in London in 2012.
This courageous confrontation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, billed as the Ring of Fire, was perhaps the greatest of the 21st century.
Fury lost his unblemished record of 35 wins without defeat and although he claimed he wanted to activate the rematch clause, reactions to his prospects were mixed.
Usyk was quick out of the blocks, pinning Fury against the ropes and in the corner in the opening rounds.
In the middle of the fight, Fury regained territory with good combinations, body attacks and fierce uppercuts.
However, Usyk’s superior endurance prevailed and he made it to the final rounds.
A series of stunning shots in the ninth round proved crucial, causing Fury to lose his balance and whereabouts.
The referee almost counted Fury out and although he was saved by the bell, he was thrown out for the first half of the next round, clearly dazed.
Fury started the fight well but began to fade as the heavyweight title fight progressed
The Ukrainian gave Fury trouble in the ninth round and almost knocked out the Gypsy King
The victory makes Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion of this century
Fury made the stunning claim that ‘people are siding with the country that is at war’ and thinks he has won the fight
Fury sensationally claimed Usyk had secured the split-decision victory in their world heavyweight title fight ‘because his country is at war’.
“I believe I won that fight,” he told DAZN. “And I think he won a few rounds, but I won most of it.”
He added: “I believe we both put up a good fight – the best we could do. And you know, his country is at war. People side with the country that is at war.
