Tyson Fury blames war in Ukraine for Oleksandr Usyk defeat, demands immediate rematch after claiming ‘I won that fight’
- Usyk wins split-decision to become first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years
- Fury dominates middle rounds, but is saved by bell after being knocked down in ninth
Heavyweight Tyson Fury said sympathy for Ukraine was behind the judges’ awarding a split-decision victory to Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight title fight on Sunday, with the Briton calling for an immediate rematch.
Victory made Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last man to unify the heavyweight belts – three at the time – after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Usyk (22-0) added Fury’s WBC title to his own WBA, IBF and WBO belts with a spectacular late rally highlighted by a ninth-round knockdown in a back-and-forth bout between two previously unbeaten heavyweight champs. Two judges favoured Usyk, 115-112 and 114-113, while the third gave it to Fury, 114-113.
“It’s a great time. It’s a great day,” Usyk said.
After cruising through the middle of the fight, Fury never recovered from a standing eight count in the ninth round, and the judges gave the fight to Usyk.
“I believe I won that fight. I believe he won a few of the rounds but I won the majority of them … His country’s at war, and people are siding with the country at war, but make no mistake, I won that fight,” Fury said in a post-fight interview in the ring.