Sports

Usyk beats Fury to become undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion

Published

2 weeks ago

May 19, 2024

NewsDirect

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.

Related Topics:boxing champion Fury Oleksandr Usyk

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Madrid beat Dortmund 2-0 to clinch 15th UEFA Champions League

Published

11 hours ago

June 1, 2024

NewsDirect

Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on Saturday to win the UEFA Champions League.

The much-anticipated match was played at the Wembley Stadium.

With this feat, Real Madrid has now won the UEFA Champions League a record 15 times, with their last victory in the 2021-2022 season.

Meanwhile, Dortmund secured their only Champions League title in 1997.

Sports

Tosin Adarabioyo to become Maresca’s first Chelsea signing

Published

20 hours ago

June 1, 2024

NewsDirect

Chelsea are now closing on the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo.

Adarabioyo is now a free agent after his contract with Fulham expired this summer.

Although the defender was believed to be on his way to Newcastle, he is now set to become Enzo Maresca’s first signing at Stamford Bridge.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, tweeted on Saturday: “EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea are closing in on deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo, negotiations at final stages.

“Newcastle have been working on Tosin deal for weeks but #CFC now clear favorites, cautious until it’s sealed.

“Tosin to be first signing for Enzo Maresca, if all goes to plans.”

Sports

Al Nassr confirm decision on Ronaldo’s exit after King’s Cup final

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2024

NewsDirect

Al Nassr CEO, Guido Fienga, has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will remain at the club next season despite a heartbreaking ending to the 2023-24 campaign.

Al-Nassr finished second in the league, 14 points behind local rival, Al-Hilal.

They also lost the King’s Cup final to Al Hilal via a penalty shoot-out on Friday.

t meant Ronaldo and his team-mates finished the season trophyless.

But it was a good year for Ronaldo personally, as he broke the record of most goals in a Saudi Pro League season with his brace against Al-Ittihad in the last league stage match.

Fienga, speaking to Sada Al-Mala’eib after the Saudi King’s Cup final, said that the Portugal captain will continue with Al-Nassr and insisted that the 39-year-old’s blood has become yellow, referring to the major colour of the team.