Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by split decision to win the world’s first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years on Sunday, an unprecedented feat in boxing’s four-belt era.

Britain’s Fury was the early aggressor but Usyk gradually took charge and the “Gypsy King” was saved by the bell in the ninth round before slumping to his first career defeat.

Ukraine’s Usyk, who remains undefeated, joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champion, the first since boxing recognised four major belts in the 2000s.

With the win, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion can legitimately claim to be the best of this heavyweight era, although a rematch expected in October could provide another twist.

“It is a big opportunity for me, for my family, for my country,” said Usyk, 37, who briefly served as a soldier after the Russian invasion.

“It’s a great time, a great day,” he said, adding that he was “ready for a rematch”.

Fury called it a “fantastic fight with Oleksandr”.

“I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them,” he said.

“You know his country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war but make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion and I will be back.”

Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last man to unify the heavyweight belts — three at the time — after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.

Chuba Akpom is expected to leave Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam at the end of the season.

Akpom joined the former European champions from Sky Bet Championship club, Middlesbrough last summer.

The 28-year-old has, however, struggled for regular time at the club and has been linked with a return to England.

According to Ajax insider, Lentin Goodijk, the Nigerian-born striker could leave the club before the start of next season.

“I don’t think he will accept sitting on the bench. Certainly not if serious clubs come for him, which I expect,” Goodijk was quoted as saying by Soccernews.

“It could easily take until August when the Premier League clubs start to panic a bit. Then they all have it on the list. If he can be picked up for €15m.

“That is absolutely nothing for Premier League clubs.”

Massimiliano Allegri has been dismissed by Juventus just two days after steering the team to victory in the Italian Cup.

Recall that the Turin club triumphed over Atalanta 1-0 in Rome, with Dusan Vlahovic securing an early goal.

However, Allegri’s behaviour marred the celebrations as he was ejected for ranting at match officials and dismissing the sporting director.

The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has since opened an investigation into Allegri’s conduct.

On Friday, Juventus officially announced Allegri’s departure in a statement via their website.

“Juventus announces that it has relieved Massimiliano Allegri of his position as head coach of the men’s first team,” Juventus’ statement partly read.

“The club wishes Massimiliano Allegri good luck in his future endeavours.”