Tyson Fury believes he won fight after split decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk

The most eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight in a generation would end with the first undisputed heavyweight champion in decades and it was Ukrainian Usyk who claimed the crown as he joined iconic greats such as Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Lennon Lewis as undisputed kings of the heavyweight division.

With a star-studded audience in attendance in Saudi Arabia led by soccer greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, Fury showboated his way through the opening rounds, targeting Usyk's body after he was stunned by a punch from Daniel Dubois last August, yet that attack failed to reap the rewards for the towering Brit.

Instead, Usyk landed the telling blow as an evenly contested contest was carved open in round eight, as the Ukrainian landed a blow that damaged Fury's nose, with the blood flowing from the Brit to confirm he had picked up some damage.

That was before the fight took a decisive twist in the ninth round, as Usyk landed some huge blows that rocked Fury onto the ropes and pushed him to the brink of defeat.

With the 'Gypsy King' rocking and losing his balance in alarming fashion, Usyk moved in for the finish and while Fury touched down on the canvas briefing and was given an eight count, he found a way to get through the round.

Survival was Fury's only option as he waited for his head to clear, but the damage done in the ninth round proved to be decisive for Usyk, with a thrilling final round seeing not enough to tilt the scorecards in his favour.

Fury kissed Usyk in his head as the final bell sounded as he was forced to accept the first defeat of his career was about to be confirmed and the final scorecards confirmed his worst fears.

The scorecards were not as convincing as most who witnessed this showdown were anticipating with two judges giving Usyk a win by 115-112, 114-113 and the third judge suggesting Fury had won 114-113.

Usyk may have deserved more than a split decision win, but history will not reflect in the contentious scorecards and will instead shine a light on a fighter who has come through this era of heavyweights and found a way to beat all comers.

We can expect to see a re-run of this heavyweight battle later this year, but for now it is Usyk basking in the glory of his greatness as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Fury confirmed he would activate the rematch clause in the contract, as he offered congratulations to the new undisputed king Usyk.

"I won that fight in my opinion, but well to Oleksandr, he's a great fighter,” declared Fury, who was beaten for the first time as a professional in his 35th fight.

“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I think I won the majority of them.

“We go back to our families and we run it back in October. For sure, we'll rest up, then get back on it in October, I thought I won the fight but I'm not going to cry and make excuses.

“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war, but make no mistake, I won that fight. I will be back, we have a rematch clause."

Usyk's was emotional and he summed up the greatest night of his life, as he also accepted a rematch with Fury is inevitable.

“Thank you so much to my team. It's a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It's a great time, it's a great day," said Usyk.

“Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch, but I don't think about that now. I need to rest.”

Fury's promoter Frank Warren also confirmed we will see Fury v Usyk II, with a date in October already being spoken about.

“I think he won by a couple of rounds but that's what it is, we're not moaning,” he said of Fury.

“But there will be an immediate rematch. Tyson has said he wants a rematch and I see where he's coming from.”