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6 months ago
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Boxing legends have been voicing their opinions on Tyson Fury's fight with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night - and the views are split.
Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight world champion of the four-belt era thanks to his split decision win over Fury, scoring 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.
Billed as the Ring of Fire, this gutsy showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was arguably the biggest of the 21st century.
Fury lost his spotless record of 35 wins without defeat and though he claimed he wanted to activate the rematch clause, the reaction to his prospects has been mixed.
Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed champion until he retired in 2004, wrote on X: 'Fury will learn from this and he’ll be back! Losing is also part of the game, it’s how you respond to a loss that makes all the difference.'
Is Tyson Fury declining or will he bounce back? Boxing legends have been having their say after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Fury willl learn from this
Gervonta Davies said: 'One good round doesn't win a fight,' likely referencing round nine, where Usyk had Fury wobbling and almost counted out after a devastating flurry of blows.
However, Johnny Nelson thinks this could be the end for Usyk. he told Sky Sports: 'Tyson's team will have serious conversations about motivating him after this and get his mind back.
'Don't be surprised if Tyson walks away from this.
'What more can he do? How can he improve from that? This defeat would have done his head in and his heart in.'
Fury might have some choice words about that take and will know exactly how he can improve - beating Usyk in October.
After the fight, he expressed his desire to have a rematch and told Prince Turki to 'show me the money, baby'.
Manny Pacquiao would like to see a second showdown. 'Congratulations Usyk on becoming the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion in 25 years! Amazing fight from both Fury and Usyk. Fights like these are worthy of a rematch,' he wrote.
Terence Crawford said: 'Man y'all better put some respect on Usyk man. He definitely a candidate for #1 P4P fighter in the world. I’m no hater. He beat the man that beat the man in a bigger division, giving what he’s already done. Salute brother!'
Johnny Nelson is unsure if Fury will carry on his career, despite his statement that he wants a rematch
Barry McGuigan believes Fury's powers of recovery are fading and that he can't take a shot as well as he used to
Usyk (left) produced a stunning comeback to beat Fury (right) on Saturday in Riyadh
The victory sees Usyk become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in this century
Barry McGuigan thinks Fury has declined. He told Sky Sports: 'Tyson is starting to drop. His ability to take a shot isn't as good as it used to be, his powers of recovery aren't as good as they used to be and he's getting older.'
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor advised Fury to steer clear of a rematch.
'A mad hiding! What next, who knows. Usyk is incredible. He has beat both soundly [Fury and Anthony Joshua],' he wrote on Instagram.'
'Whatever moves towards Tyson AJ I am for. If Fury wishes to go a second try at the wheel, AJ had two attempts so why not. Tall ask. Not impossible also. If not, AJ Usyk last hoorah, and then win lose or draw go 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 leaving the Gypsy King floundering.
After the final round, there was mutual respect between the two fighters who exchanged kisses and hugs as they awaited the result.
Usyk extended his record to 22 wins in 22 fights, with 14 knockouts, and he could have had another had the bell not saved Fury in the ninth round.
However, Fury's mood soured when Usyk was named the victor with the British fighter telling an interviewer that 'people are siding with Usyk because of the Ukraine war'.
The Ukrainian had Fury troubled in the ninth round and nearly knocked out the Gypsy King
Fury started the fight well however began to fade as the heavyweight title bout went on
Fury made the stunning claim that 'people are siding with the country at war'
It was an all-out war for the final round, with the judges scoring it 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk.
After the fight, Fury claimed 'people are siding with Usyk because of the Ukraine war' following his split-decision defeat.
'I believe I won that fight,' he said on TNT Sports Box Office's live broadcast of the fight.
'And I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them. I believe we both put on a good fight - best we could do.
'And, you know, his country is at war. People are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.'
English (US)