On May 18, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a spectacular event unfolded, featuring a series of intense matches at the Fury vs Usyk boxing night.
Highlight victories included Jai Opetaia defeating Mairis Briedis via unanimous decision (UD) to reclaim the IBF cruiserweight title while showcasing remarkable endurance despite a cut in the tenth round.
The undercard battles also saw Anthony Cacace overpower Joe Cordina by an eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).
Cacace's unexpected dominance against the seasoned Olympian was underscored by a memorable knockdown in the third round.
Similarly, Agit Kabayel emerged victorious against Frank Sanchez with a seventh-round TKO, positioning him as a mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title.
Among other noteworthy results, Moses Itauma delivered a swift second-round knockout (KO) against Ilija Mezencev. Itauma's confidence shone post-fight as he expressed readiness to face any upcoming challengers.
Additionally, Mark Chamberlain triumphed over Joshua Wahab with a powerful first-round KO that impressed both spectators and analysts.
Continuing the streak of decisive wins, Robin Sirwan Safar outpaced Sergey Kovalev over ten rounds winning by UD due to superior speed and strategy management.
Also in fast-paced action, David Nyika claimed the IBF International title after stopping Michael Seitz in the fourth round via TKO and hinted at potential future fights against top contenders.
Daniel Lapin represented Team Usyk with zeal as he secured an expedient first-round KO victory over Octavio Pudivtr.
Isaac Lowe rounded off these successive wins by gaining an early victory over Hasibullah Ahmadi for Team Fury, setting an assertive tone for the main event.
Each fighter displayed tactical brilliance or sheer power that underscores boxing as not only a sport of physical prowess but also of mental precision and resilience. The community and fans continue to rally behind these athletes who excel across varied levels contributing significantly to their globally recognized sports careers.
Full Undercard Results for Tonight Boxing
Full results for the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard fights are:
- Oleksandr Usyk def Tyson Fury via SD
- Jai Opetaia def Mairis Briedis via UD
- Anthony Cacace def Joe Cordina via R8 TKO
- Agit Kabayel def Frank Sanchez via R7 TKO
- Moses Itauma def Ilija Mezencev via R2 KO
- Mark Chamberlain def Joshua Wahab via R1 KO
- Robin Sirawn Safar def Sergey Kovalev via UD
- David Nyika def Michael Seitz via R4 TKO
- Daniel Lapin def Octavio Pudivtr via R1 KO
- Isaac Lowe def Hasibullah Ahmadi via UD
Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by a split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, marking a significant moment in boxing's history.
The event took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where after a robust contest determined by scorecards showing 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk versus one card at 114-113 for Fury, Usyk made history. This significant achievement marked him as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Jai Opetaia reclaimed the IBF cruiserweight title in a hard-fought rematch with Mairis Briedis on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh.
The event took place in an intense atmosphere, where Opetaia won by unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112. The bout marked a significant comeback for both fighters, particularly for Opetaia who had been stripped of his title previously.
Anthony Cacace vs Joe Cordina
Anthony Cacace defeated Joe Cordina by a TKO in the eighth round, claiming victory in a boxing match held earlier today. The bout showcased intense competition with both fighters displaying remarkable skill and determination.
Cacace, now with a record of 22 wins and one loss, expressed surprise at his own performance against the highly decorated Olympian and two-time world champion, Joe Cordina.
Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez
German boxer Agit Kabayel secured a victory over Cuban opponent Frank Sanchez by a technical knockout (TKO) in the seventh round. The match took place at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was pivotal for Kabayel as it positioned him as a mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight world title.
Moses Itauma vs Ilija Mezencev
Moses Itauma won against Ilija Mezencev with a TKO in the second round. The match took place recently and showcased Itauma's dominance in the ring. Observers noted that Mezencev seemed nervous, which may have affected his performance.
After the match, during an interview with Chris Mannix of DAZN , Itauma said, "It was alright. It’s my first title fight, the first of many. I’m happy. I’ve grown up and I’m ready." Regarding future opponents, he added, "I don’t even know. Anyone can get it. Anyone I call out won’t want to fight but I have a title with me and I am happy with any opponent."
With this win, Moses Itauma's professional record improves to 9-0. He expressed challenges in finding other heavyweights willing to face him next.
Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Wahab
Mark Chamberlain defeated Joshua Wahab by knockout in the first round of their recent boxing match. The event occurred on May 18, culminating swiftly at the venue packed with eager fans.
With just one minute remaining in Round One, the decisive moment unfolded. Chamberlain cornered Wahab, who tried to maneuver away but was caught off-guard by a powerful left hand from Chamberlain.
Robin Sirawn Safar vs Sergey Kovalev
Robin Sirwan Safar defeated Sergey Kovalev by unanimous decision in a recent boxing match. The event took place before an energetic crowd, with a fight that lasted 10 rounds.
The final round climaxed dramatically as an aggressive push from Safar nearly ended the contest prematurely after landing significant hits sending Kovalev stumbling but managing to beat the count just before conclusion of the fight.
Ultimately, Robin Sirwan Safar was adjudged winner by unanimous decision showcasing not just his boxing skills but also exceptional stamina and strategic planning in managing each round against Sergey Kovalev.
David Nyika vs Michael Seitz
David Nyika stopped Michael Seitz in the fourth round via TKO and hinted at potential future fights against top contenders. That’s an impressive victory for the 28-year-old New Zealander David Nyika. He stops a game Michael Seitz in the fourth round to claim the IBF International title.
Daniel Lapin vs Octavio Pudivtr
Daniel Lapin, Usyk’s 26-year-old compatriot and stablemate, drops his Portuguese opponent Octavio Pudivitr in the very first round.
Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi
Isaac Lowe beats Hasibullah Ahmadi by decision in the first fight of the card.