Tyson Fury has been told the “only fight” left for him, after his unanimous points decision defeat by champion Oleksandr Usyk in a world heavyweight boxing title bout, is an all-British clash against Anthony Joshua.

Fury, like Joshua a former world heavyweight champion, was beaten on all three judges’ scorecards by 116-112 at the end of his second consecutive loss to Usyk, the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organisation title-holder.

Fury, 36, refused to say if he would fight on following the Dec 21 loss in Riyadh, saying “who knows?” when asked if he would extend his career.

But Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, believes a “Battle of Britain” clash at Wembley could still be a sell-out fight, even though his fighter is also coming off a loss – Joshua was knocked out by International Boxing Federation champion Daniel Dubois in September.

“The reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury and that’s Anthony Joshua. It’s the biggest fight in the history of British boxing and everyone will want to see it,” Hearn told DAZN.

“That wasn’t a Tyson Fury who looked finished. It wasn’t a flat performance. It wasn’t a poor performance. He didn’t look gun shy or like his punch resistance was in question.

“Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers, just not good enough to beat Oleksandr Usyk.

“For me AJ against Fury is the one. One at Wembley and then back out here for Riyadh season. I will be pushing His Excellency (Saudi Arabia’s boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh) to make the fight.”

Fury was convinced he had won and claimed his opponent “got a little Christmas gift” from the judges, while his promoter, Frank Warren, said he was “dumbfounded” by the scoring on Dec 21.

Despite conceding 25kg in weight and 15cm in height, the impressive Usyk landed more and better punches with greater accuracy than Fury.

“Thanks to everyone who came and supported me,” said Fury.

“We move on. We go now into a new year and whatever that brings, we’ll see.

“The fight’s done now, it’s in the past. I’ve not got a decision. It is what it is and we move on. I’ll go home to my family. I’ve not seen my kids for 12 weeks.

“You can’t change decisions, I’ve done the best I could. If I could have done any more, then I would have done. And that’s it.”

-AFP

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

British heavyweight Tyson Fury said the judges made a mistake in awarding a unanimous decision win to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine in their clash for the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC titles at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday night, claiming he should have won.

Fury fell to the second defeat of his professional career, both of which have come against Usyk, as he missed the chance to win the belts despite a much better performance in a rematch of their May bout, which he lost by split decision.

“I was quite confident. I thought I won that fight again… I thought I’ve won both fights. But then again, I’ve gone home with two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” Fury told a press conference.

“I can just fight my heart out and do the best I can, but again, I’ll always believe until a day I die, I won that fight.”

Fury said he had been on the front foot all night, but in truth Usyk, who gave up big advantages in terms of height, weight and reach, was the more dominant fighter for the majority of the contest as he scored another decision win.

“It is what it is. I’m not going to cry over spilled milk, it’s happened now. I know boxing, I’ve been in it all my life. You can’t change no decisions, but I’ll just always feel a little bit hard done-by. Not a little bit actually – a lot,” Fury said.

The 36-year-old waved away talk of what is next for him after his second straight defeat.

“I’m going to go home and have a good Christmas, I’ve been away 12 weeks, I put a lot of work in for this fight, I’m going to go home now and enjoy it,” he said.

-Reuters

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury to retain the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles in Riyadh, saying the boxer embodied the fighting spirit of Ukrainians.

Undefeated Usyk, who took Fury’s WBC belt in their first bout in May, beat the British two-time world champion in the rematch by unanimous decision, handing him the second loss of his professional career.

“Victory! So important and so needed by all of us right now,” Zelenskiy, who had led Ukraine in its war with Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in 2022, wrote on X.

“By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what is ours! No matter how hard it gets – we will overcome everything.

“Whether it is in the ring, on the battlefield or in the diplomatic arena – we will fight and we will not give up what is ours! Congratulations on your victory, Cossack! Congratulations on your victory, Ukraine!”

Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who enlisted in the Ukrainian military reserves before Russia’s invasion, was at the Kingdom Arena to witness Usyk’s victory.

“Ukraine is fortunate to have you. You’re a true standard-bearer of our resilience… glory to Ukraine,” Klitschko wrote on X.

-Reuters

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H