Tyson Fury has sensationally claimed that Oleksandr Usyk took a split decision victory in their world heavyweight title fight “because his country is at war”.
Usyk, a native of Ukraine, was crowned undisputed world heavyweight champion after a grueling battle in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while the final judge gave it to Fury 114-113.
It was an explosive battle between the heavyweight giants in which Fury appeared to gain the upper hand during the early rounds, before Usyk fought back in the end, landing a flurry of punches on the Brit in the ninth round, leaving the referee no choice but strike him a blow. a permanent count. After the fight, Fury insisted that he had won the fight, claiming that Usyk had only won a few rounds.
“I think I won that fight,” he told DAZN. “And I think he won some of the rounds, but I won most of them.”
And he added: “I think we both put up a good fight, the best we could do.” And you know, his country is at war. People are taking the side of the country at war.
Tyson Fury suggested Oleksandr Usyk received split decision in heavyweight title fight ‘because his country is at war’
The Gypsy King made these comments after suffering a split decision loss to the Ukrainian.
“Make no mistake, in my opinion, I won that fight.”
It was a historic night for the heavyweight division, with Usyk crowned the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era, and the first since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999.
After the fight in Saudi Arabia, both fighters showed mutual respect for each other and Fury was seen putting his arms around Usyk’s shoulders inside the ring.
Usyk, who raised a Ukrainian flag after the fight, thanked his team for helping him succeed, before stating that he was ready for the rematch.
“Thank you very much to my team,” said the new undisputed heavyweight champion. ‘It is a great opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It’s a great moment, it’s a great day.
‘Yes of course. “I’m ready for a rematch.”
The pair are already scheduled to fight again in October, and Fury added that he was looking forward to fighting again.
‘We will return to our families and we will see him again in October. We’ll go back, we’ll rest,’ Fury said.
‘I think I won the fight, but I’m not going to sit down and cry and make excuses. We will run it again in October.
Usyk (right) returned late in the fight to seal the victory against Fury, knocking down the British fighter in the ninth round.
The fighters showed mutual respect after the fight, with Fury hugging Usyk after a grueling fight.
After being crowned the new undisputed champion, Usyk stood against the ropes and raised a Ukrainian flag.
Usyk has previously spoken about the conflict in his country stating that he “checks his phone to see how many rockets have landed” when he wakes up in the morning.
In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Usyk said he wants to give back to those who have suffered from war in his home country.
His charity, the Usyk Foundation, has launched a major fundraising campaign to raise €1 million to purchase 50 ambulances to save Ukrainian lives amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Speaking about the conflict, he said: ‘My daily routine starts with picking up the phone and reading the news about how many rockets have hit kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities today.
‘Every morning I check to see if all my friends and loved ones are alive and pray for their safety. And this is how millions of Ukrainians start their day.
‘Before the undisputed fight, I received many words of support from all over the world. “Those words inspire and motivate me.”
