The 30 seconds that shook Fury and took Usyk to the summit of boxing

Oleksandr Usyk became the first man to hold the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO belts this century after beating Tyson Fury.Oleksandr Usyk became the first man to hold the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO belts this century after beating Tyson Fury.would finish the night holding all four heavyweight belts, the first man to do so this century; and in the process complete an ascent to the most rarefied all-time champion air.

Undisputed at two weights. Olympic gold medallist. Unified heavyweight champion after five years spent cutting down men three inches taller and three stones heavier. After Saturday nighttoo. He has a pretty convincing case to be called the greatest of all time, at least in so far as such comparisons have any real meaning.

Then there were those 30 seconds. It began with Usyk landing a sudden raging left to the side of Fury’s head. Fury’s face changed. He knew. He leaned back on the ropes, feeling for his legs. Usyk pressed the gas, threw three more lefts to the side of the head, as Fury went windmilling back across the width of the ring in search of solid ground.

From there it was a tribute to Fury’s extraordinary fighter’s heart that he took it to the end, that he came back to fight three more rounds, and that he ended the night on his feet. Perhaps that will be enough to persuade him to trigger the rematch clause. On the other hand Fury is 35 now, with a lifetime of scar tissue, worn down not just by all those heavyweight rounds but by the constant war with his own body and mental state.The years have been hard. Having a great chin is a vital quality.

From the start Usyk stamped on the gas as Fury weaved and ducked close to the ropes. Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly. Fury floats like a shipping container on a pair of roller-skates. But his slippery speed kept him out of trouble as Usyk found his range, feet constantly shuffling, back fat wobbling over his colossal green shorts.

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