Tyson Fury is set to bank another £100million from a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after losing for the first time last night as the Ukrainian fighter became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four belt era.
What Happened?
The judges on the night scored the bout 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk to see Usyk win via split-decision – but the pre-bout deal the two boxers signed lines up a second encounter.
Did Usyk Win Because He’s From Ukraine?
Fury claimed afterwards that the judges favoured Usyk due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – while the British boxer’s wife Paris revealed how she was a ‘bag of nerves’ before the epic tussle.
It Was Really a Close Tie
It has also been revealed that triumphant Usyk, 37, was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw instead of attending a post-match press conference.
The battle was a tale of two halves at the Kingdom Arena, after 35-year-old Fury dominated the opening rounds before Usyk came back to control the fight with a flurry of punches in the ninth round leaving the Gypsy King floundering.
After the final round, there was mutual respect between the two fighters who exchanged kisses and hugs as they awaited the result.
Fury Thinks He’s the Winner
But Fury’s mood soured when Usyk was named the victor with the UK fighter telling an interviewer that ‘people are siding with Usyk because of the Ukraine war’.
Fury’s wife Paris, 34, said beforehand about watching her husband fight: ‘I hate it I’ve got to be truthful, that’s the flat out answer.
‘I support him but I don’t enjoy it. I hate being there but on the other hand, I feel like I have to be there.
‘I feel like, if I’m not there, what happens if something goes wrong and I’m not with him?’
Fury Has a Secret Rematch Clause
Fury insisted after his first ever career defeat that he was ready for a rematch mooted to happen this coming October.
He said: ‘I believe I won that fight. He won a few of the rounds but I won the majority of them.
‘It’s one of those things – what can you do with decisions in boxing? We both put on a good fight, the best we could do. His country’s at war – so people are siding with the country at war.
‘But make no mistake, I won that fight, in my opinion. I’ll be back. I’ve got a rematch clause. I’ve had a split-decision loss to a good little man.’
