On Sunday, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by a split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
Uskys met Fury with a stirring second-half comeback to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
According to the BBC, Fury dominated the first half of the fight, belying the magnitude of the night by clowning around at every opportunity.
But Usyk made a stirring comeback in the desert, forcing the referee to issue a count when only the ropes held his rival up in the ninth round.
Fury struggled to regain the momentum and would have been the happier of the two men to hear the final bell.
But his relief was short-lived as Usyk was announced the winner – and the division’s first undisputed ruler for 25 years – by split-decision.
The Brit, who was making the fourth defence of his world title, had weighed in 40lb heavier than bid rival and also enjoyed a six-inch height advantage.
He towered over Usyk as they touched gloves, telling the smaller man he was “going to school”.
Despite the occasion, Fury was in a playful mood from the first bell, taunting Usyk by lying back on the ropes. He then repeatedly punched himself in the head, beckoning his rival on.
Usyk landed a one-two at the start of the second round as Fury began to target the body – before punctuating the three minutes with an uppercut.
Fury was content to box on the back foot but began to use his size to lean on Usyk.
He switched to southpaw in the fourth round and prematurely raised his hands in victory after landing a back hand.
Such was Fury’s reach advantage that Usyk was at times struggling to close the distance.
Fury whipped in hooks to either side of the Ukrainian’s midriff as the former cruiserweight champion showed the first signs of struggle.
By the sixth round Fury looked to be in complete control as Usyk began to tire. Now the Brit was on the front foot as his rival backtracked and he reached the halfway mark with his hands behind his back.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua had the best seats in the house alongside boxing’s new power broker Turki Alalshikh.
Steven Gerrard paid a visit to Fury’s dressing room before the first bell while Brazilian superstar Neymar also made an appearance.
And they would have enjoyed Fury’s performance in front of 28,000 fans, including a travelling contingent of Fury’s loyalists.
But Usyk was never going to lie down easily and returned fire in the seventh round with two left-hand reminders.
Fury was alive to the threat however and immediately answered back.
Usyk increased his urgency in the eighth round as he chased down his fellow champion, appearing to demand he meet him for a fire-fight.
