Oleksandr Usyk became the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world in 25 years last night as he won a split decision over Tyson Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Ukrainian showed why many view him as the best in the world and he conquered a man who weighed in over 30 pounds heavier than him in the weigh-ins. Usyk was the clear winner in the eye of the fans watching on, dominating over Fury heading into the last round.
Fury needed to come out aggressively in that last round if he had any chance of winning but he didn't do enough and Usyk had the fight won. It's clear to see why now as in his post-fight press conference Fury explained that his corner felt that he had the fight won.
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.
"I thought I did enough, if someone had said to me I was down go out and finish him... I would have!" 👀
Tyson Fury reflects on defeat to Oleksandr Usyk 👇#FuryUsyk pic.twitter.com/73o6lQDu6z
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 19, 2024
Fans React to John Fury Getting In The Way During Heavyweight Clash
Many fans have pointed out that Tyson Fury had quite chaotic corner during the fight and there were a lot of voices in between rounds all seemingly talking about different things.
A trio of SugarHill Steward, Andy Lee and Tyson's father John Fury were in the corner for Fury. Steward has been Fury's head trainer since 2019 and has been with Fury since the lead-up to his win in the rematch against Deontay Wilder. Andy Lee is an Irish boxing legend, he's a former WBO Middleweight Champion and is linked with Steward through the Kronk Gym and has been in Tyson Fury's corner in the past.
John Fury has his own fighting credentials as well and definitely knows a thing or two about boxing. But it's fair to say that he gets quite passionate and eccentric when it comes to Tyson Fury fights. This lead to John trying to shout over Steward's coaching in between rounds spouting generic boxing tropes and not really giving his son any insight in how to win the fight.
"Win these two rounds and you've won the fight" 💪
Tyson Fury's corner giving the orders 🔊#FuryUsyk pic.twitter.com/7tj9NR0j44
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 18, 2024
It's fair to say that it wasn't the ideal corner to have in the first Undisputed Heavyweight Title clash in 25 years. Many fans online pointed out John Fury's corner antics during the fight and how it would negatively affect Tyson's performance.
Fury's corner consisted of 2 incredibly intelligent boxing people in Sugar Hill and Andy Lee trying to impart some astute tactical game plan, only to be repeatedly drowned out by John Fury shouting "Use the jab, we're fighting men"...
— Big Dave (@OfficialBigDave) May 19, 2024
John Fury was a disgrace in the corner
Sugar trying to advise but John Fury just shouting bollocks all fight
Get him out the corner for the rematch
— West Ham Place (@WestHamPlace) May 18, 2024
What is John fury doing saying last round that hold in there when he needs a knockout absolutely piss poor corner advice.
— Sam (@SamblackDONG) May 18, 2024
It's hard to see Tyson completely ditching his father in a rematch but with his behaviour throughout the week in Saudi Arabia, it might be better to not have him be in such a prevalent position in his corner if there's a next time.
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