Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed heavyweight world champion, but Tyson Fury has been slammed as ‘classless’ for his verdict on the result.
Despite Usyk scoring the only knockdown of the fight in the ninth round, the Ukrainian won via split decision, before Fury claimed that he felt he should’ve won the fight.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the bout, Fury acknowledged the support Usyk has behind him as he fights for his war-torn country, but appeared to suggest Russia’s invasion was behind his defeat.
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury says. “I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won majority of them. And I believe it was – what can you do? – one of them decisions in boxing.
“We’ve both put on a good fight. Best we could do. And, you know, his country’s at war. So people are siding with a country at war. But make no mistake, I’ve won that fight in my opinion, and I’ll be back. We’ve got a rematch clause.
“You know, I thank Jesus for all the victories he’s given me. I’ve dropped a split decision to the good little man, and I thank him again in the mighty name of Jesus. We go back home to our families and we’ll run it back in October.”
Boxing fans were not impressed and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam Fury’s comments. One said: “Fury saying he won and that Usyk won because of Ukraine war. What a classless d**k.” A second fan remarked: “Fury talking bulls**t. He never won that fight. Using the fact the Ukraine is at war as the reason usyk won, showing what a classless c*** he is.”
Another fan said: “Fury showing how classless he really is. He was beaten fair n square.” And a fourth simply said: “Tyson Fury is absolutely CLASSLESS.”
Usyk’s victory was scored 115-112 and 114-113 in his favour, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury. The result means that Fury has suffered his first professional defeat, but he will get an immediate chance for revenge with a rematch planned for later this year.
More to follow