Fury: Judges Gave Usyk a Christmas Gift

Tyson Fury was adamant in rejecting the outcome of his rematch with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, insisting that the decision was a “Christmas gift” to his opponent. 

Despite all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favour, securing the Ukrainian his second consecutive victory over Fury, the British fighter, along with his promoter Frank Warren, argued strongly that Fury had done enough to claim the win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“The judges gave him a Christmas gift,” Fury said. “I feel like I won both fights.

“I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight.

“Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two.”

Fury, 36, did not answer any questions in the ring after the bout, choosing to head backstage where he eventually spoke to the media.

“I’m not going to cry over spilled milk, it’s over now.” Fury added.

“I’ve been in boxing my whole life but I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by – not a little bit, a lot.”

Queensberry’s Warren made clear his frustration with the result in the ring and continued to make his case for a Fury win afterwards.

“I’m dumbfounded at how they [judges] scored it,” Warren said.

“His jabbing was superb, his footwork was superb, he wasn’t slow. He was very evasive.”

Victory for Usyk extends his unblemished record to 23 victories and further strengthens his claim as one of the greatest of this generation.

“Uncle Frank, I think he is blind,” Usyk said.

“If Tyson says it is a Christmas gift then OK, thank you God, not Tyson. Thank you to my team.”