Tyson Fury claims Oleksandr Usyk won the heavyweight title due to sympathy for Ukraine's war with Russia, despite believing he won a majority of rounds.
In a controversial claim, British boxer Tyson Fury has suggested that Oleksandr Usyk's victory in the undisputed world heavyweight title fight was influenced by sympathy for Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia. Despite Fury's belief that he won the majority of the rounds, Usyk emerged victorious via a split decision, prompting the Brit to allege that the judges' scoring was swayed by the conflict in Usyk's home country.
"I believe I won that fight," Fury said in a post-match interview. "I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them, and I believe it was one of those what-can-you-do, one of them… decisions in boxing."
Fury expressed his displeasure with the outcome, claiming that Usyk benefited from sympathy due to Ukraine's ongoing war against Russia. "You know his country's at war, so people are siding for the country at war," he said. "But make no mistake, I won that fight, in my opinion, and I'll be back. I've got a rematch clause."
On the other hand, Usyk paid tribute to his late father and dedicated the victory to his country and its soldiers defending against the Russian invasion. "My people will be very happy I think, it's a big win, not only for me, it's a big win for my country, for soldiers who now defend my country," he said. Usyk expressed his willingness for a rematch with Fury, stating, "Yes, of course, very much. I'm ready for a rematch."
The fight was officiated by a trio of judges from Spain, Canada, and the United States, with two scoring in favor of Usyk and one favoring Fury.
