Tyson Fury experienced a significant setback last weekend in Saudi Arabia, where he faced Oleksandr Usyk in an eagerly anticipated bout for the WBC heavyweight world title. Despite a strong start, Fury was ultimately outpointed by Usyk, leading to the first defeat of his illustrious career and the loss of his WBC title.
The fight began with Fury dominating the early rounds, displaying his usual prowess and confidence. However, Usyk’s resilience and tactical acumen allowed him to turn the tide in the latter half of the match. By the end, the judges scored in favor of Usyk, much to Fury’s dismay.
Backstage, a visibly frustrated Fury expressed his disbelief and disappointment, feeling that the decision was unjust. “I was… ripped off in there. I thought I won it by four or five rounds,” he stated in a video taken as he returned to his dressing room. This sentiment was echoed by some fans and pundits who also questioned the scoring.
Despite this setback, Fury is not backing down. He has invoked his rematch clause, setting the stage for another showdown with Usyk in Riyadh this October. His promoter, Frank Warren, is confident in Fury’s ability to reclaim his title, stating, “There will be a rematch, and that will be confirmed and announced in due course. I think it will be better than the original fight.”
Warren emphasized that both fighters now have the experience of facing each other, which will likely make the rematch even more competitive. “Everyone out there thinks Usyk is the best, so let’s see what Tyson does. He’s a fighting man, it’s what he brings to the ring,” Warren added.