Oleksandr Usyk's historic undisputed world heavyweight title victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia has stirred up controversy. While Usyk became the first four-belt champion in heavyweight history, his team and fans believe he was unjustly denied a knockout victory in the ninth round.

Despite facing a significant 40lb weight difference, Usyk managed to drop the unbeaten Fury in the ninth round, completely changing the course of the fight. However, referee Mark Nelson decided to score it as a knockdown rather than awarding a technical knockout (TKO), a decision that has left many questioning the outcome.

Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk, expressed his disappointment, stating, "No disrespect to the referee, but I think he stopped a KO in the ninth. But anyway, it was a tremendous performance. It was unbelievable, and I hope to see more in the rematch." Krassyuk's sentiments were echoed by former heavyweight champion David Haye, who believed that had the roles been reversed, the bout may have been stopped.

The incident prompted a wave of support for Usyk on social media, with fans arguing that the referee's decision was influenced by Fury's name value and the magnitude of the occasion. One fan wrote, "The referee stole the KO from Oleksandr Usyk against Tyson Fury. If the tables were turned, the referee would have stopped the fight."

In the MMA world, there was also speculation that the knockdown played a crucial role in Usyk's tight split decision victory. UFC legend Daniel Cormier weighed in, suggesting that if Fury hadn't been the renowned boxer he is, the fight might have been stopped. Cormier commended the referee for allowing Fury to continue, acknowledging the intrigue it brought to the later rounds.

Despite the controversy surrounding the stoppage, Cormier highlighted that the judges' scorecards ultimately determined the fight's outcome. The match went down to the wire, with round twelve proving pivotal, as Fury was visibly hurt and struggling.

Usyk's historic win has certainly left a lasting impression, but the debate over the stoppage decision will continue to divide fans and boxing pundits alike. As attention turns to a potential rematch, it remains to be seen if the controversial ninth-round knockdown will play a role in the sequel.