Tyson Fury says Oleksandr Usyk got 'Christmas gift' with unanimous scorecards in world title rematch

ByEurosport

Updated 22/12/2024 at 08:11 GMT

Beaten fighter Tyson Fury felt that Oleksandr Usyk had been given unreasonably generous scorecards by all three judges in their rematch in Riyadh on Saturday. The trio awarded the Ukrainian a 116-112 victory across the board, leaving Fury to rue his failure to knock his opponent out. Fury would not be drawn on his future plans after a second defeat.

Highlights: Usyk beats Fury by unanimous decision to retain titles after engrossing fight

Video credit: Eurosport

Tyson Fury felt he won his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, saying the Ukrainian "got a bit of a Christmas gift from the judges" with their scorecards.

After 12 hard-fought rounds from both heavyweights in Riyadh, the scorecards gave the incumbent a unanimous 116-112 decision, leaving Fury staring two consecutive defeats in the face.

Speaking at a press conference after his loss, Fury was adamant he had done enough to be declared the winner.

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He said: "I thought I won the fight, I thought I got Larry Holmes-ed here. I thought I won both fights.

"But then again, I've got two losses on my record, there’s not much I can do about it. I can fight my heart out, but again, I’ll always believe until the day I die, that I won that fight."

The former champion added: "I was on the front foot all night, landing body and head. Sometimes it’s hard to score.

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Video credit: Eurosport

"Frank [Warren, Fury’s co-promoter] had me three or four rounds up, a lot of people had me up two. I’m not going to cry over spilt milk. I’ve been in boxing all my life, you can’t change decisions, but I’ll always feel hard done by.

"When you don’t get a knockout, you can’t guarantee a win."

Fury rejected the suggestion that the difference was Usyk’s mentality, protesting: "I didn’t feel any spirit. I felt a bit of Christmas spirit, and I think he got a bit of a Christmas gift from the judges.

"There’s no doubt in my mind I won the fight."

Asked about his future, Fury was non-committal regarding plans to fight on.

"I’m having some time off," he answered. "I might do, I might not. Who knows? We’ll talk about that next year."

A trilogy fight has been mentioned, with Warren suggesting there is a contractual obligation for a second rematch, but neither Fury nor Usyk were sure of their next steps.

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Video credit: Eurosport

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