Tyson Fury strongly contested the judges’ unanimous decision in his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in Usyk‘s favor, Fury labeled the outcome a “Christmas gift” for his opponent.
The defeat marked Usyk’s second successive win over Fury, solidifying the Ukrainian’s dominance in the heavyweight division.
Fury and his promoter Frank Warren were adamant that the British fighter had done enough to secure victory.
“I feel like I won both fights,” Fury asserted.
“I know I had to knock him out, but it’s boxing, and this happens. There’s no doubt in my mind I won this fight.”
Despite his frustration, Fury chose not to answer questions in the ring, addressing the media backstage instead.
“I’m not going to cry over spilled milk, it’s over now. But I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by – not a little bit, a lot,” he added.
Warren also voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision, describing Fury’s performance as “superb” in several aspects.
“I’m dumbfounded at how they scored it. His jabbing and footwork were excellent. He wasn’t slow and was very evasive,” Warren said.
Judges’ Split Decisions highlight a tight contest
The fight was a strategic battle, with the judges agreeing on seven rounds but splitting on five. Patrick Morley (USA), Ignacio Robles (Panama), and Gerardo Martinez (Puerto Rico) awarded unanimous decisions to Fury in rounds four and five, and to Usyk in rounds six through eight, 10, and 11. However, rounds one, two, three, nine, and 12 were hotly contested, leading to a split among the judges.
Without knockdowns or 10-10 rounds, each decision proved crucial. Fury’s camp maintained he deserved the win, while Usyk graciously thanked his team and dismissed the controversy.
“If Tyson says it’s a Christmas gift, then OK, thank you, God – not Tyson,” Usyk quipped.
With this victory, Usyk extended his perfect record to 23 wins, bolstering his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of his era. Meanwhile, the debate over the fight’s scoring ensures the rivalry remains a focal point in boxing discussions.
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