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

Fury was the early aggressor but Usyk gradually took charge , but was saved by the bell in the ninth round before slumping to his first career defeat.

Usyk, who remains undefeated, joins the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight champion, which is 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.

Two judges scored it for Usyk by scores of 115-112 and 114-113 while the third gave it to Fury 114-113. The victory extended Usyk’s professional record to 22-0. After his first loss, Fury stands at 34-1-1.