Boxing

TYSON FURY was saved from a brutal knockout loss only thanks to a “bizarre” refereeing decision, it’s been claimed.The Gypsy King came up short in his bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since fellow Brit Lennox Lewis in his long-overdue Saudi straightener with Oleksandr Usyk.Tyson Fury faced Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles last weekendCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King suffered a split decision defeat to the UkrainianCredit: PAFury was almost finished in the ninth roundCredit: TNT SPORTSBut referee Mark Nelson bizarrely stopped Usyk from landing a telling blowCredit: TNT SPORTSFury, 35, suffered a split decision loss in a Riyadh rumble that will live long in the memory.The Wythenshawe warrior looked to be cruising to a points victory before he was rocked by a huge left hand in the final minute of the ninth round.Fury was pinged around the ring in the final seconds of the stanza and was seemingly saved from a knockout loss by referee Mark Nelson, who stunningly intervened to give him a standing count.The decision to stop Usyk from landing a potentially fatal blow didn’t go unnoticed by boxing experts, including the champ’s former foe Tony Bellew.READ MORE ON FURY VS USYKDuring an appearance on Good Morning Britain, the former WBC cruiserweight titleholder said: “I thought Oleksandr Usyk was a worthy winner.”I thought in that ninth round, Tyson Fury does amazingly to stabilise himself.”But it was a bizarre incident in that it actually shouldn’t have been a count. “Tyson Fury is still standing and Oleksandr Usyk should still be allowed to throw punches.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVictory over Fury saw Usyk become a two-weight undisputed world champion in only his 22nd professional fight.The Ukrainian now has a serious claim to be the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet.Wally Downes Jr reacts as Usyk dethrones Tyson Fury is epic Saudi clashBut Bellew also reckons his former foe is arguably the best fighter of the modern era.’The Bomber’ continued: “The most important thing is the right man was awarded the victory. “Because we couldn’t have had a decision that went wrong or sat wrong with boxing.”And ultimately, boxing has won on Saturday night. And it’s on the grand stage again.”Boxing is the greatest of all sports and on Saturday night, we saw why.”It was an amazing fight by two amazing fighters. “And Oleksandr Usyk cements his legacy as probably one of the greatest fighters of his era – if not the greatest.”Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

Fury will have the opportunity to exact his revenge on the slick southpaw in a rematch in October, should he choose to exercise his contractual right to a second fight.And given his suggestion the Olympian was gifted the decision because his homeland is still in the midst of a war with Russia, it’s likely he will exercise it in the coming weeks.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe fumed: “His country is at war. “So people are siding with someone whose country is at war. I won that fight.” More

IF ever a fight demanded a rematch, then it was this instant classic.Even the clamour for an all-British duel between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will have to quieten down so that the dethroned Gypsy King can get it on again with Oleksandr Usyk, the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk put on a show for the ages in their undisputed showdownCredit: REUTERSTheir Riyadh rumble had thrills, spills and plenty of showmanshipCredit: REUTERSFormer WBC heavyweight king Fury looked to stay long with his jab and land shots from distanceCredit: REUTERSUsyk did a good job of closing the distance and finding a home for his left handCredit: PAUsyk, the fighting pride of war-torn Ukraine, confirmed his status as an all-time great by unifying boxing’s gold-standard division having already done the same at cruiserweight.All in the space of just 22 professional fights.A rematch is pencilled in for October, back in Saudi Arabia, though Fury refused to commit to it in the immediate aftermath of his first professional defeat at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena in the early hours of Sunday.But Fury-Usyk II is what the world is waiting for. Because this fight was a thrilling, white-knuckle ride which fully lived up to its hype and £120million purse.READ MORE IN BOXINGAs Fury put it “we punched the f*** out of each other for 12 rounds — my face is pretty busted up and he’s busted too.”First, Fury showboated, then he dominated, then he was destroyed by an extraordinary counter-attack from Usyk, which might have seen the fight stopped at the end of the ninth with the Brit flailing on the ropes like a drunken sailor.Referee Mark Nelson showed leniency — but certainly not clemency — towards Fury, who proved the strength of his jaw and the size of his ticker over the final three rounds.Just as he had done when poleaxed by Deontay Wilder en route to a draw in the first of his epic trilogy with the Alabama sledgehammer.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThis split decision from the judges was harsh on Usyk.But, outside of that ­explosive bombardment at the end of the ninth, there was nothing to choose between two outstanding technicians who refused to keep it cagey.Anthony Joshua’s reaction to Fury vs Usyk caught on live TV as Hearn reveals how it impacts blockbuster British fightNo holding, no spoiling, just 12 rounds of brutal, irresistible theatre.After the judges gave their verdicts, Fury claimed Usyk had got the nod because of a sympathy vote over the Russian invasion of his homeland.But later, he rode back on that claim. He was black-and-blue, beltless but almost bursting with pride.It was one of those rare occasions in sport when the loser recognises he has been part of something truly special, in the realisation defeat can be glorious.And you cannot doubt Fury’s ability to take it on the chin. Certainly not after the clubbing left from Usyk which ignited his demise.We had waited 25 years, since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield, to witness the coronation of an undisputed heavyweight champion.Usyk is the first to reign supreme in this division during the four-belt era, adding Fury’s WBC title to his own WBA, IBF and WBO crowns.And Usyk is an extremely worthy champion — he has class, courage and an obvious human decency which is clear even through his broken English.And broken English, by the way, is Usyk’s trade. The 37-year-old has now defeated Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Joshua twice, Daniel Dubois and Fury in six of his last seven fights.Fury did, uncharacteristically, admit that his showboating tactics were a mistake.Tyson Fury hurt Oleksandr Usyk the body nuermous timesCredit: GETTYBut he was almost taken out in the ninth roundCredit: GETTYIf there were a rematch, the Lancastrian, 35, said: “I think I’d keep my defence a little tighter, more focused and not so much messing around.”The feeling is that Fury might not take up the rematch option. That he might meet Joshua next, even with no titles on the line and it no longer being the No 1 must-see contest for British fight fans.We will soon be back in alphabet-soup territory, with rival governing bodies squabbling over who should fight Usyk, who will not remain undisputed for long.And it is a shame this weekend’s stirring contest should have been part of Saudi Arabia’s aggressive sportswashing project, where all talk of appalling human-rights records is not tolerated by the regime’s PR attack dogs.Should Fury take the rematch or fight Joshua, his next contest will surely be back in Saudi.Saturday night’s show — which had a better atmosphere than previous big fights here, due to a decent turn-out of travelling Brits — will be seen as a major coup for the filthy-rich host nation.Still, this was a night where politics, both in the fight game and the real world, were forgotten for a brief while as two elite boxers elevated themselves, and their bloody art, to another level.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs Fury pondered his next move, he insisted: “I’m not boxing because I’ve got no money, I’m boxing because I love it.”In terms of love and money, another crack at Usyk should be his favoured option.The world patiently awaits the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson FuryCredit: GETTY More

FORMER world champion Johnny Nelson fears “devastated” Tyson Fury could RETIRE from boxing following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.Fury survived a brutal onslaught in round nine and was saved by the bell after being shaken with a left hand. Johnny Nelson fears ‘devastated’ Tyson Fury could retire from boxingCredit: PAFury showed off his battered face after defeat to UsykCredit: GettyTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE THRILLERThe heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification ultimately went down to the wire with Usyk walking away with a famous split-decision win. A rematch is contracted and eyed for October but ex-cruiserweight champ Nelson warned not to rule out Fury hanging up his gloves for good. He told Sky Sports: “I think Tyson Fury will be devastated at the result of that. “Tyson’s team will have serious conversations about motivating him after this and get his mind back.READ MORE IN BOXING”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, 35, refused to commit to a rematch when probed in the post-fight press conference. He said: “Straight in the old truck, dog in the back, to the tip, all the same old stuff, picking up dog s*** and cleaning out nappies.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“On Monday morning when I’m home doing the school run and the kids are shouting and screaming, and the belts are not to be seen and it’s all back to normal, what will it mean then to me? “It won’t mean anything. For me, it’s just another day at the office, like sitting at the bus stop on Morecambe front and getting wet through and sand hitting you in the face, it’s just another day for me. Just another day in the ghetto.”Tyson Fury answers HOW he managed to get up from Usyk blows that seemed to have him knocked outAnthony Joshua was ringside in Saudi to watch the bout and cheered on as Usyk, 37, who twice defeated him, took home the belts.Joshua, 34, is due to return in September at Wembley and could await the verdict of Fury’s expected rematch with Usyk.Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia for the fightCredit: GettyUsyk almost stopped Fury in round nineCredit: PAFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here… More

ANTHONY JOSHUA was hilariously asked to take a picture of a fan and Cristiano Ronaldo in what was dubbed a “violation”. Joshua sat next to the Manchester United legend, who now captains Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, for Tyson Fury’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk. Anthony Joshua taking a picture for a fan with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: TNT SportsUsing Anthony Joshua to take a pic with Cristiano Ronaldo is a violation 💀Joshua is a class act, he was holding that shirt for Ronaldo to sign, took the picture all while cheering for the man who beat him twice! Respect. pic.twitter.com/VqD0Mdhfpr— GC (@GettyCristiano) May 19, 2024

And TNT Sports footage captured the moment the result was read out to confirm Usyk’s historic victory over Fury. But just before the split-decision was announced, Ronaldo and Joshua were seen chatting. And Ronaldo signed an Al-Nassr jersey for a fan, who then took a selfie with the Portuguese legend.Who took the photo? Two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua – leaving fans stunned. READ MORE ON RONALDOOne said: “Using Anthony Joshua to take a pic with Cristiano Ronaldo is a violation. “Joshua is a class act, he was holding that shirt for Ronaldo to sign, took the picture all while cheering for the man who beat him twice! Respect.” One hailed: “Top guy AJ. class act.”But another argued: “Not a violation at all. In a room full of the biggest stars in the world it’s Cristiano who is by far the biggest.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

One said: “CR7 is a celeb among celebs, he is the most-known man on the planet. A class act from AJ who is good friends with CR7…” Joshua watched on as Usyk – who twice beat him on points – almost stopped Fury in round nine before earning the decision. And a rematch looks to be eyed for October while AJ is set to return in September against the June 1 winner between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubos. Promoter Eddie Hearn told iFL TV: “We want to regain the world heavyweight title, so whoever has got it has got it.”But the rematch is a big fight. That looks like that’ll be set for October, if both guys take it and we have to work on our plans, whether that’s Wembley, we’ll see what happens on June 1.”Joshua and Ronaldo chat from ringsideCredit: GettyOleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury on pointsCredit: PA More

TYSON FURY fell to his first-ever defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk – but was he doomed from the start?Fury was beaten over 12 thrilling rounds and came within a whisker of being stopped in the ninth before heroically battling back. Tyson Fury lost for the first time against Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyBut the writing could have been on the wall for Fury before he even entered the ring.He seemingly fell victim to the Drake curse, was missing beloved wife Paris as well as many other factors that went against him.Here, SunSport dives into where it went wrong for the dethroned Gypsy King. Premature brag Fury is known as a maverick and one of the most eccentric fighters in recent years. READ MORE IN boxingSo it was no surprise he already had “victory cigar” ready to go which he showed off just hours before the fight. But after it backfired, fans were quick to let Fury know as one said: “This aged well.” Another added: “Don’t think he’ll be sparking that anytime soon.”Fury revealed his ‘victory cigar’ moments before the fightCredit: Instagram @queensberrypromotionsParis misses fight Fury’s childhood sweetheart has been a staple ringside at his fights but she revealed her regret at missing this one. She emotionally posted on Instagram: “Will never not be at your side for a fight again. Even though I couldn’t be there, I wished I was.”Most read in BoxingParis Fury was not at husband Tyson’s fight in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Instagram/parisfury1Drake curse Rapper Drake has gained an unwanted “curse” in recent years for betting on fighters who go onto lose. It was no different on this occasion after he lost a $1MILLION bet after lumping on Fury to beat Usyk. Drake lost $1m betting on Fury to beat UsykCredit: APAnthony Joshua’s reaction to Fury vs Usyk caught on live TV as Hearn reveals how it impacts blockbuster British fightTactical error Fury suggested he was not egged on enough by his corner to put his foot on the gas in the crucial stages of the fight. He said: “If they’d said to me before the last round that I was down I would have gone and tried to finish it but everyone in the corner believed we were up.“All I had to do was just keep boxing and keep doing what I was doing and I was getting it.” Fury hit out at his corner following defeatCredit: ReutersNose job Promoter Frank Warren highlighted Usyk landing a big left hand on Fury’s nose as the turning point in the bout. He said: “I thought he was going to stop him he looked so much in control in the fight. “And then he got caught on the nose, in my opinion he lost his concentration for just a moment and then the next round obviously there was the 10-8 round.” Usyk left Fury’s nose bleeding after a big left handCredit: Getty More

DAVID HAYE slammed the referee for “giving Tyson Fury 20 seconds to recover” from Oleksandr Usyk’s brutal barrage.And he insisted it “looked really bad ringside” that the Gypsy King was allowed to carry on.Oleksandr Usyk battered Tyson Fury in a thrilling ninth roundCredit: PAThe referee scored the knock down and gave a standing countCredit: GettyDavid Haye was not happy with the referee’s decisionCredit: GettyTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE THRILLERUsyk turned the tide in their epic undisputed heavyweight world title fight in Riyadh with a thrilling ninth round. He went on a stunning attack with a flurry of huge hits that had Fury completely rocked.The Brit staggered around the ring and it looked as though Usyk was ready to wrap up a shock knock-out victory. But Fury tumbled into the ropes, looking utterly helpless, and referee Mark Nelson called a knockdown – a legitimate decision.READ MORE ON USYK VS FURYHowever, Haye was unhappy with the standing count to ten from Nelson.That is because by the time he finished the count and checked Fury’s ability to defend himself, there was no time to continue fighting before the bell went to end the round.And that prompted a furious backlash from the Hayemaker.He fumed on TNT Sports: “If Fury was doing that to Usyk it would have been stopped. The referee stopped him and his opportunity.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Then gave him 20 seconds to completely recover. “It looked really bad from ringside. Tyson Fury answers HOW he managed to get up from Usyk blows that seemed to have him knocked out”Even Fury fans said, ‘Thanks ref.'”Usyk’s manager was also convinced his man would have secured his historic victory inside the ninth round if he was allowed to have another go at his rattled opponent.Alex Krassyuk moaned: “No disrespect to the referee but I think he stopped a KO in the ninth but anyway it was a tremendous performance. “It was unbelievable and I hope to see more in the rematch.”For all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

In the end, though, Usyk got his win thanks to a split decision from the judges. The emotional champ broke down in tears after the win – but walked out of his live TV interview with TNT Sports to get a congratulatory kiss from his doting wife.READ MORE SUN STORIESFury initially insisted he would trigger the release clause in the contract.But he cast doubt over their October reunion by suggesting he would not risk brain damage to step back in the ring – or he may bypass Usyk for a mega showdown with Anthony Joshua. Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
ROUND 1
Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
ROUND 2
Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
ROUND 3
Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
Round 4
Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
Round 5
Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
Round 6
Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
Round 7
Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
Round 8
Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 9
Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
Round 10
Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
Round 11
A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
Round 12
The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114 More