Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Riyadh after 12 rounds and is the absolute world champion VIDEO

Olexander Usyk unified the world titles in heavyweight for the first time since 1999, FOCUS reported.

The Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury by split decision after 12 rounds of action in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The turning point in the match came in Round #9 when Usyk landed a series of fearsome singles. The referee could and should have stopped the match, but he counted a Gypsy King knockdown, and then the gong to end the match saved him.

The fight itself was going in Tyson's favor, but Usyk was able to turn it around. The last two rounds were split dominance, which speaks volumes for Fury and his inhuman recovery capabilities.

There will be an instant rematch in October at the same venue.