Tyson Fury has sensationally claimed that Oleksandr Usyk was awarded split-decision victory in their world heavyweight title fight ‘because his country is at war’.
Usyk, who hails from Ukraine, was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after a gruelling battle in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 and 114-113 in Usyk’s favour while the final judge gave it to Fury 114-113.
It was an explosive battle between the heavyweight giants with Fury seeming to take an advantage during the opening rounds, before Usyk fought back late on, dealing a flurry of punches to the Brit in the ninth round, leaving the referee no other option but to deliver a standing count. After the bout, Fury insisted he had won the fight, claiming that Usyk had only won a few rounds.
‘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.
"I believe I won that fight!" 💢
Tyson Fury reacts to defeat against Oleksandr Usyk 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OIwO3w3EGs
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 18, 2024
Tyson Fury suggested that Oleksandr Usyk was awarded a victory after their heavyweight title fight ‘because his country is at war’
The Gypsy King made the comments after he had suffered a split-decision defeat by the Ukrainian
‘Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.’
It was a historic night for the heavyweight division, with Usyk being crowned the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era, and the first since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.
After the slugfest in Saudi, both fighters showed respect to each other with Fury seen putting his arms around Usyk’s shoulders inside the ring.
Usyk, who held up a Ukraine flag after the fight, thanked his team for helping him succeed, before stating he was ready for the rematch.
‘Thank you so much to my team,’ the new undisputed heavyweight champion said. ‘It’s a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It’s a great time, it’s a great day.
Usyk (right) came back late in the fight to seal victory against Fury, knocking the British fighter down in the ninth round
Both fighters landed some brutal blows on each other, with Fury setting the pace early on
He added: ‘Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch.’
The pair are already scheduled to fight again in October, with Fury adding that he would return to spend some time with his family before their next meeting.
‘We’ll go back to our families and I’ll see him again in October. We’ll go back, rest up,’ Fury said.
‘I believe I won the fight but I’m not going to sit and cry and make excuses. We’ll run it again in October.’
In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Usyk had said that he wants to give back to those who have suffered from the war in his home country.
The fighters showed respect to each other after the bout, with Fury embracing Usyk after a gruelling fight
After being crowned the new undisputed champion, Usyk stood on the ropes and held up a Ukraine flag
Usyk has previously spoken about the conflict in his country stating that he ‘checks his phone to see how many rockets have landed’ when he wakes up in the morning
His charity, the Usyk Foundation, have launched a major fundraising campaign to raise 1million EUR to purchase 50 ambulances to save Ukrainian lives amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Speaking on the conflict he said: ‘My everyday routine begins with picking up the phone and reading the news about how many rockets have landed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities today.
‘Every morning I check to see if all of my friends and loved ones are alive and pray for their safety. And this is how millions of Ukrainians start their day.
‘Before the undisputed fight, I received many words of support from all over the world. Those words inspire and motivate me.’
