Tyson Fury claims he thought he defeated Oleksandr Usyk by three rounds – after suffering a second career loss to the Ukrainian.
Despite having a huge size and weight advantage, the English boxer struggled to make his mark against undefeated opponent Usyk – who recorded a second victory of the year against Fury after a split decision win in May. This time Usyk was given the nod by all three judges who each scored the bout 116-112 to retain his his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles, with Fury leaving the ring as soon as the scores were read out.
The 36-year-old from Morecambe, who is now tipped to take on Anthony Joshua if he returns to the ring in 2025, was still sporting a bushy beard which Usyk’s team had demanded he shave and started the fight strongly. But it was Usyk who was producing a more clinical display landing 179 punches across the 12 rounds compared to 144 by Fury, 42 percent of those he threw – compared to just 28 percent of Fury’s.
And, in footage filmed backstage after the result was announced and shared by Sky Sports, a frustrated Fury can be seen saying: “I swear to God I thought I won the fight by three round.” Speaking to ESPN he doubled down, continuing: “I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again. I was on the front foot the entire time. When you don’t get the knockout this is what can happen.”
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said he was baffled by the scorecards, adding: “It’s impossible. How did Tyson only get four rounds in this fight? I’m not biased. Everyone across the front all thought the same way. It’s nuts. Did you only give him four rounds? Nuts. I don’t get it. I’m really disappointed with that. I thought Tyson was in control. Thought he boxed extremely well. But anyway. It is what it is.”
When asked what his future now held after just the second defeat of his pro career meanwhile, Fury cryptically said: “You might see me fight again, you might not. I was confident I was ahead. I thought I won both fights and I’ve gone home with two losses on my record now. But I’ll always believe until the day I die I won that fight.
“Sometimes it’s hard to score fights but Frank had me three or four rounds up, a lot had me two. It is what it is. You can’t change decisions, I won’t cry over spilled milk. When you can’t get a knockout, you can’t guarantee a win.”
Emotional winner Usyk, who dedicated the victory to his mum, paid tribute to Fury saying: “He is a great fighter, he is a great opponent. It has been an unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much. Thank you God. I had good preparation, my wife helped me. For me this is a very happy day. My son won his judo belt and said to me, ‘Papa, you are next’.”