In the aftermath of the highly anticipated heavyweight title fight on Saturday night, where Oleksandr Usyk defended his titles against Tyson Fury, the boxing world found itself engulfed in a fierce debate about the outcome. The fight, which ended with Usyk’s victory, ignited a war of words, particularly involving Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, who voiced strong opinions about the scoring of the match. Warren, visibly frustrated with the result, expressed his disbelief that one judge awarded Usyk the last seven rounds, questioning, “How on earth can anyone say he never won one round out of the last seven? I’m dumbfounded at the scoring.”
Tyson Fury, a two-time heavyweight champion, echoed Warren’s sentiments and maintained that he believed he won the fight, as he stated, “I thought I won that fight again. I thought I won both fights, but I’m going home with two losses on my record.” Fury, known for his larger-than-life personality both inside and outside the ring, also expressed his frustration with the judges, claiming, “I think he got a Christmas gift from the judges,” highlighting the contentious nature of the decision that had apparently shocked him.
Conversely, Oleksandr Usyk had an entirely different perspective on the fight’s outcome. During the post-fight press conference, Usyk responded to Warren’s remarks with a hint of sarcasm, suggesting that perhaps the promoter was “blind” in his judgment. “Uncle Frank, I think blind,” said the Ukrainian champion, adding, “If Tyson says Christmas gift, OK, thank you God, not Tyson, thank you my team.” Usyk’s light-hearted jab at Fury’s claims of a ‘gift’ further illustrated his confidence in his performance, which not only defended his WBA, WBO, and WBC heavyweight titles but also pushed his remarkable record to 23 victories without a loss.
Reflecting on his opponent, Usyk recognized Fury’s capabilities, stating, “Tyson Fury makes me strong. He’s a great opponent, a big man, a tough boxer. He’s a good man, and while he has a lot of talking, it’s just show. Twenty-four rounds, but now it’s already history.” This acknowledgment of Fury’s skill set paired with a humble demeanor towards his own triumph represented a sportsmanlike quality that many fans and experts appreciate in boxing.
Looking ahead, Usyk revealed his plans for the immediate future, which involved taking a well-deserved break to spend time with his family. “Today my wife sent me a video with my little daughter saying, ‘daddy, daddy’. I’m going to go home, rest, off my phone, and close my house and look at the sky, not think about boxing or Tyson Fury, just rest and play with my children,” he stated. This introspective drive to reconnect with family after the rigors of training and competition further solidified his resolve as not only an athlete but also a devoted father and husband.
Fury, on the other hand, also alluded to taking time off from the sport. Showing visible signs of wear and tear after such a taxing match, the veteran boxer remarked, “I’m having some time off. I might do, I might not. Who knows? We’ll talk about that next year.” This uncertainty regarding his future in boxing illustrates the exhausting nature of professional sports and the mental and physical toll it can take on athletes, especially in such high-stakes scenarios.
Fans keen to relive the fight or catch up on the spectacle had various options for viewing. The event was made available on multiple platforms, including EE TV where customers could purchase access via channel 494, and Virgin Media TV where subscribers were directed to the On-Demand section. Additionally, Prime Video offered a straightforward process for viewing, as customers did not need a subscription to access the Pay-Per-View event, emphasizing the increasing accessibility of major boxing matches to a global audience.
The controversial conclusion to Usyk vs. Fury II has sparked a dialogue that touches upon not only the intricacies of fight scoring but also the emotional, physical, and familial dynamics of professional athletes. As both champions contemplate their next steps, the boxing community remains abuzz with speculation about future matchups and the legacy of both fighters.
