Boxing legends voiced their opinions on Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night – and opinions are divided.
Usyk became the first undisputed four-belt world heavyweight champion of the era thanks to his split-decision win over Fury, scoring 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.
This courageous confrontation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, billed as the Ring of Fire, was perhaps the greatest of the 21st century.
Fury lost his unblemished record of 35 wins without defeat and although he claimed he wanted to activate the rematch clause, reactions to his prospects were mixed.
Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed champion until his retirement in 2004, wrote on X: ‘Fury will learn from this and he will be back! Losing is part of the game, it’s how you respond to a loss that makes the difference.’
Will Tyson Fury (right) back off or bounce back? Boxing legends have had their say following his split-decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Fury will learn from this
Gervonta Davies said: ‘One good round doesn’t win a fight,’ likely referring to round nine, in which Usyk wobbled Fury and nearly counted out after a devastating flurry of punches.
However, Johnny Nelson thinks this could be the end for Usyk. He told Sky Sports: ‘Tyson’s team will have serious conversations after this to motivate him and get his mind back.
“Don’t be surprised if Tyson walks away from this.
‘What else can he do? How can he improve from that? This defeat would have affected his head and his heart.’
Fury may have some nice words to say about that approach and will know exactly how he can improve by beating Usyk in October.
After the fight, he expressed his desire for a rematch, telling Prince Turki to “show me the money, honey.”
Manny Pacquiao would like to see a second confrontation. “Congratulations to Usyk on becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years! Great fight from both Fury and Usyk. Fights like this are worth a rematch,” he wrote.
Terence Crawford said: “Man, y’all better show some respect for the Usyk man. He is definitely a candidate for the #1 P4P fighter in the world. I’m not a hater. He beat the man who beat the man in a bigger division, and gave what he has already given. Greetings brother!’
Johnny Nelson is unsure if Fury will continue his career despite saying he wants a rematch
Barry McGuigan believes Fury’s ability to bounce back is waning after the defeat in Saudi Arabia
Usyk (left) made a stunning comeback to beat Fury (right) in Riyadh on Saturday.
The victory makes Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion of this century
Barry McGuigan thinks Fury has refused. He told Sky Sports: ‘Tyson is starting to decline. His shooting ability is not as good as it used to be, his rebounding ability is not as good as it used to be and he is getting older.”
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor advised Fury to avoid a rematch.
‘A crazy blockage! What next, who knows. Usyk is incredible. He has defeated both convincingly [Fury and Anthony Joshua],” he wrote on Instagram.”
“Whatever goes in Tyson AJ’s direction, I’m for that. If Fury wants to make a second attempt behind the wheel, AJ has had two attempts, so why not. Long question. Not impossible either. If not, last hurray for AJ Usyk, and then win, lose or draw, Tyson AJ.”
It was a tale of two halves at the Kingdom Arena after Fury dominated the opening rounds before Usyk came back to control the fight with a flurry of punches in the ninth round that left the Gypsy King floundering.
After the final round, there was mutual respect between the two fighters who exchanged kisses and hugs as they waited for the result.
Usyk extended his record to 22 wins in 22 fights, with 14 knockouts, and he could have gotten another had the bell not saved Fury in the ninth round.
However, Fury’s mood soured when Usyk was declared the winner, with the British fighter telling an interviewer that ‘people are siding with Usyk because of the war in Ukraine’.
The Ukrainian gave Fury trouble in the ninth round and almost knocked out the Gypsy King
Fury started the fight well but began to fade as the heavyweight title fight progressed
Fury made the astonishing claim that ‘people are siding with the country that is at war’
It was an all-out war for the final round, with the judges scoring 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk.
After the fight, Fury claimed that ‘people are siding with Usyk because of the war in Ukraine’ following his split-decision defeat.
“I believe I won that fight,” he said during TNT Sports Box Office’s live broadcast of the fight.
“And I think he won a few rounds, but I won most of it. I believe we both put up a good fight – the best we could do.
“And you know, his country is at war. People side with the country that is at war. Make no mistake, in my opinion I won that fight.”