Tyson Fury was joined by his wife after the judges’ scorecards were read announcing his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, with the married couple not having seen each other for months
Defeated fighter Tyson Fury was comforted by his wife Paris after he stormed out of the ring following his bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Gypsy King fell to a unanimous decision loss against his Ukrainian opponent, with each judge scoring the fight 116-112. Fury wasted little time making his exit following the announcement of the result and left the ring without comment.
The 36-year-old, from Wythenshawe, captured headlines during fight week after claiming he had not seen or spoken to his wife or children in three months as he prepared his bid to gain revenge on Usyk following his first loss. It was to be for naught as his opponent once again had his hand raised, but Paris quickly joined her husband on his journey from the ring.
Paris walked with Fury as he cut a frustrated figure, after meeting him after his exit from the squared circle. The couple share seven children together.
Fury explained his dismay as he approached his dressing room. The former world champion, who lost his first fight against Usyk by split decision, believed he had earned a clear victory.
“I swear to God, I thought I won by three rounds!” he told Sky Sports.
”I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again,” he added to ESPN. “I was on the front foot the entire time. When you don’t get the knockout, this is what can happen.”
Fury’s anger at the decision continued in the post-fight press conference. “The judges gave him a Christmas gift,” he said.
“I feel like I won both fights. I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight. Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two.”
“I’m not going to cry over spilt milk, it’s over now.” he added, “I’ve been in boxing my whole life but I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by – not a little bit, a lot.”
Queensberry chief Frank Warren made his case for a Fury win public too. The promoter was aghast at the scorecards for the night.
“It’s nuts,” said Warren. “Did you only give him four rounds out of eight? I don’t get it. I’m really disappointed. We’ll have to see what happens in the future for Tyson. I thought he was in control, boxed really well and had Usyk on his back foot.”
“How come Tyson only got four rounds in this fight? It’s impossible,” he continued.
“He’s very disappointed as I am as well. Everyone along the front [of the ring] thought it was all the same way.”
Usyk was unafraid to poke fun at his defeated and despondent opponent however. After extending his record to 23 fights unbeaten, Usyk responded to criticism of the decision.
“Uncle Frank, I think he is blind,” Usyk said. “If Tyson says it is a Christmas gift then OK, thank you God, not Tyson. Thank you to my team.”
Matchroom boss Eddie earn was more diplomatic following the bout, despite having picked Fury to win ahead of Saturday night. “I had it very close, I couldn’t split it,” he said.
“All three judges had it the same way. I had it a draw, one round, I thought it was close. We’ll watch it back, but I found it difficult to pick a winner.”