Tyson Fury’s time at the top of professional boxing could be up after the Gypsy King lost to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The Briton had gone into the clash in Riyadh with no stone left unturned as he looked to avenge his defeat to the same opponent from earlier in the year.
Fury piled on the pounds, refused to trim his beard and even spent three months without seeing his wife, Paris, and their seven children.
But those sacrifices proved to be in vain, with Usyk pulling off another sensational performance to win via unanimous decision.
Tyson Fury’s time at the top of professional boxing could be up after the Gypsy King lost to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night
REUTERS
As the winner was announced to the crowd at the Kingdom Arena, Fury shook his head in disgust.
The 36-year-old performed well, certainly far better than in their first showdown earlier in the year.
But the night belongs to Usyk once more, with the Ukrainian maintaining his discipline and ending the rounds stronger as he battled his way to victory.
Fury had seemingly expected to be given the win after the final round.
He raised his arm in victory but his facial expression changed dramatically after his rival was rewarded instead.
It is now unclear what will happen with Fury.
He had said before the clash that he was still passionate about boxing and that he’d like to stay in the sport for a few more years at least.
After suffering back-to-back losses, however, Fury may not be the superstar he once was.
As for Usyk, the 37-year-old has little left to prove.
He remains unbeaten as a professional, having clocked up 23 victories – with Fury, Tony Bellew, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois all overcome during the course of his career.
Usyk, like Fury, had signalled that he wants to keep boxing for as long as possible.
But he’s also revealed that he’s struggled to be apart from his family – something that could eventually tempt him into hanging up his gloves for good.
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Tyson Fury lost to Oleksandr Usyk in their boxing fight on Saturday night
REUTERS
Speaking after his win, Usyk was asked about the result.
And he insisted that he wouldn’t be analysing the judges, with the veteran saying: “I win. It’s good, I’m not a judge. I’m an athlete,” he said.
“I prepare well. My wife helps me, my children help me. For me is a very happy day. My sons won a judo competition today as well. It’s a very happy day.
“My son said ‘hey, papa, you’re next’. I said ‘Okay’.”
Tyson Fury has lost to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time
GETTY
Frank Warren was asked about Fury and Usyk potentially meeting for a third time.
He said: “Yeah we’ve gotta do it. But let me tell you something. How did Tyson only have four rounds in that fight. All different rounds. I think we won the fight.
“I don’t know what Fury wants to do next. But us lot along the front row there, we thought he’d won the fight.
“It’s too early to say if we’ll see him again. Did you give him four rounds out of eight? It’s nuts. I’m really disappointed.
“I thought he was in control of the fight, he boxed really well, he had Usyk in the back foot. Anyway, it is what it is.”
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