Oleksandr Usyk briefly walked out of a live television interview after becoming the undisputed heavyweight world champion by beating Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.
The Ukrainian star emerged as a victor on a split decision verdict following the 12-round contest in Riyadh.
The judges on the night scored the bout 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk, as the 37-year-old secured all four heavyweight belts.
Usyk, amid the celebrations in the ring, was teed up to give his reaction to broadcaster TNT Sports in a post-fight interview.
The Ukrainian, however, broke away briefly after spotting his wife Yekaterina who he had spotted ringside.
Oleksandr Usyk briefly walked away from a live interview after beating Tyson Fury in Riyadh
Usyk was seen kissing his wife Yekaterina, who he had spotted ringside amid the celebrations
The couple embraced before Usyk returned to complete his post-fight interview in the ring
Cameras followed the Ukrainian as he made his way over to Yekaterina with the couple sharing a kiss and embrace following his stunning victory.
Usyk then made his was back to the centre of the ring to deliver his post-fight thoughts to TNT Sports.
The undisputed heavyweight world champion was quick to pay tribute to his family, as well as Ukraine.
‘Thank you so much my team, my God, Jesus. Mr Excellency, thank you this is a big opportunity for me, for my family. Slava Ukraini,’Â Usyk said.
‘It’s great. I don’t have words. Of course, I’m ready. One more time we will do a good fight.’
Usyk was forced to miss the post-fight press conference to have his injuries attended to, amid suggestions he had broken his jaw during his historic victory.
He broke down in tears when remembering his father, who died shortly after he won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, when he eventually gave his post-fight press conference.Â
‘I miss my father and I said to him “you live there and I live here, please don’t come for me, I love you”,’ Usyk said.
Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight world champion with a split decision win over Fury
The Ukrainian was awarded the victory on two of the judges scorecards after the 12 rounds
Yekaterina was only able to be present ringside after the planned February fight with Fury was postponed after the Gypsy King suffered a cut
‘For me it is hard when my father comes back to me because I remember all life. I know he is here, maybe sitting out there.’
He added: ‘My camp started in September 2023, I worked for nine months.
‘I missed Happy New Year, I missed my son’s birthday, I missed my other son’s birthday, I missed my daughter’s birthday and then the birth of my daughter.
‘I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight, now I’m happy and I want to go back home.’
Yekaterina had only been able to attend the fight after the initially scheduled contest in February was postponed when Fury sustained a ‘freak’ cut to his head.
Usyk had claimed his wife was pleased with the postponement as she was going to miss the initial fight date due to giving birth to their fourth child in January.
He had been forced to miss the birth due to his training camp ahead of his fight with Fury.
The couple, who have been married since 2009 and now have two sons and two daughters, were reunited ringside following his win over Fury.
Usyk gave an emotional tribute to his late father in his post-fight press conference in Riyadh
Yekaterina shared their moment of celebration on social media, claiming her husband’s win was also proof of Ukraine’s strength amid the ongoing was with Russia.
‘Thank you all for your support, for believing in us,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘This is very important! Proof every day that Ukrainians are strong and free people.
‘Together we are strength, the whole world sees it. Glory to Ukrainian people, glory to everyone who protects.’
Fury had sensationally claimed post-fight that Usyk had been favoured due to the war in Ukraine, insisting he should have been announced as the winner of the fight.
‘I believe I won that fight,’ he said to DAZN. ‘And I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them.’
He added: ‘I believe we both put on a good fight – best we could do. And, you know, his country is at war. People are siding with the country at war.
‘Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.’Â