Tyson Fury described Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over him as a “Christmas gift” from the three judges who all scored the fight 116-112 in favour of the champion. The verdict was justifiably much more clearcut than the split-decision ruling that gave Usyk victory in May.
But Fury offered his contrasting belief at the post-fight press conference: “I thought I won that fight. I thought I won both fights but I’m going home with two losses on my record. There’s not much I can do about it. I can just fight my heart out.
Usyk v Fury II: How the world heavyweight title fight unfolded
“I will believe til the day I die that I won that fight. I was aggressive, on the front foot all night, landing to the body and head. Frank Warren [his promoter] had me three or four rounds up. A lot of people had me at least two rounds up. But I’m not going to cry over spilled milk. I can’t change the decision. When you don’t get the KO this is what happens: you can’t guarantee a win.”
Asked by a Ukrainian journalist if he agreed that Usyk was inspired by the defiant spirit of his war-torn country, Fury said dolefully: “I didn’t feel no spirit. I felt a bit of Christmas spirit in there and think he got a Christmas gift from those judges.”
Fury was told that even the experimental use of artificial intelligence had gone against him. The AI “judge” recorded a score of 118-112 to Usyk. Fury responded amusingly when he considered his view of AI. “By the review of that, absolutely shit,” he said. “Fuck all the computers, keep the humans going. More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers. Fuck electric cars too, while we’re at it.”
The victorious Oleksandr Usyk praised Tyson Fury as “a great fighter” after the bout in Riyadh. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
He was asked what he would like to do next. “Go home and have a good Christmas. I’ve been away 12 weeks working for this fight. I’m gonna go home now and enjoy it. We go home to a new year. Let’s see what it brings.”
Warren later spoke of his bemusement with the judges’ scorecards. “How did Tyson only get four rounds in this fight? It’s impossible,” he told Dazn. “Only four rounds. Each of them gave him four rounds, four different rounds. I’m not saying this because I’m biased, but everyone along the front there all thought it went the same way.
“It’s nuts. It’s nuts, I don’t get it. I’m really disappointed with that. I thought he was in control of the fight and boxed extremely well. Usyk was on the back foot for most of the fight, but it is what it is.”
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Oleksandr Usyk beats Tyson Fury again – in pictures
Fury’s future now comes into question following a second successive defeat to Usyk, but Warren declined to speculate on what he might do. “I don’t know. He’s very disappointed, like I am as well. It’s up to him,” Warren said. “It’s too early, just after a fight. Obviously emotions are running high. We’ll have to wait and see what happens for Tyson in the future. He’ll have to make up his mind.”
Usyk is the only man to have beaten Fury, who began his professional career 16 years ago this month, but the British fighter remained grudging in his praise. He would not even accept that Usyk is the best man he has ever faced. “Not really. In that fight he never hurt me once. I’ve got a few flesh wounds – and they’ll be gone in a few days. I know what’s happened and that’s it.”
Fury repeated his belief that “in my opinion it was a Christmas gift. It’s not Oleksandr’s fault – congrats to him and his team.”
Usyk, typically, was far more gracious towards Fury: “He is a great fighter. He is a great opponent. He gave an unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you very much.”
