Tyson Fury Claims Oleksandr Usyk Was Handed a “Christmas Gift” by Judges

Tyson Fury has voiced his frustration following his controversial loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their highly anticipated rematch held in Saudi Arabia. Despite a unanimous decision in Usyk’s favor, Fury believes the judges’ verdict was unfair, insisting he deserved the win. Reflecting on the match and its implications, Fury shared his views on the scoring, the challenges of boxing politics, and his potential future in the sport.

Fury’s Perspective on the Fight: “I Thought I Won Both Fights”

After the rematch concluded with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor, Fury didn’t hold back at the post-fight press conference. He described the decision as a “Christmas gift” to Usyk.

“I felt I won both fights,” Fury stated, referring to the May match, where Usyk narrowly defeated him in a split decision, and the recent rematch. “I know I have to knock him out to get a decision, but it’s boxing, and it happens.”

Fury compared his situation to that of heavyweight legend Larry Holmes, who lost two close fights to Michael Spinks in the 1980s after Spinks moved up from light heavyweight. “I thought I got Larry Holmes’d again,” Fury quipped, emphasizing his belief that he was robbed in both matches. Despite his frustration, Fury admitted, “You can’t change decisions, but I’ll always feel hard done by.”

Analyzing the Performance: “I Was on the Front Foot All Night”

Fury argued that he was the aggressor throughout the fight, consistently landing effective shots to both the body and head while dictating the pace. “I was on the front foot all night,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to score, but I’ll always believe, until the day I die, I won that fight.”

Unlike their first bout in May, where Usyk rocked Fury in the ninth round, the rematch lacked dramatic moments. Fury highlighted that Usyk never hurt him, further reinforcing his belief that he deserved the victory.

However, Fury acknowledged the unpredictability of boxing. “When you don’t get the knockout, this is what happens. You can’t guarantee a win,” he remarked. Despite his visible frustration, Fury expressed gratitude to his supporters and pledged to keep moving forward.

What’s Next for Tyson Fury?

At 36 years old, Fury’s future in boxing remains uncertain. Long rumored to face Anthony Joshua, Fury was noncommittal about his plans for 2025. “You might [see me fight again]; you might not do. We’ll talk about that next year,” he teased.

For now, Fury plans to take a well-earned break. “Go home and have a good Christmas,” he said. “I’ve been away for 12 weeks; it’s a long time. I’m going to go home and enjoy it.”

Despite his grievances with the decision, Fury displayed sportsmanship, congratulating Usyk and his team. “In my opinion, it was a Christmas gift. It’s not Oleksandr’s fault. Congratulations to him and his team.”