Oleksandr Usyk makes stance clear on Tyson Fury rematch immediately after fight
Oleksandr Usyk did not shy away from a possible rematch with Tyson Fury after securing a split-decision victory over the British Boxer on Saturday.
Oleksandr Usyk became the first boxer in 25 years to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world following a split decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday night in Riyadh. Before leaving the ring, the Ukrainian welcomed the idea of an immediate rematch with the Brit.
Related articles
Fury appeared to be gaining momentum in the early portion of the fight, landing multiple significant shots all while galavanting around the ring. But it was Usyk who pulled away in the final four rounds, landing a devastating left hook that knocked his opponent down in the ninth.
Going to the judges score cards, one official scored the fight 114-113 in favour of Fury. They were ultimately overruled by their peers, who scored it 114-113 and 115-112 for Usyk.
"Thank you so much to my team,” Usyk said after the bout. “It's a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It's a great time, it's a great day.”
When the thought of a potential rematch with Fury was brought up, the 37-year-old asserted: “Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch.”
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
READ MORE Tyson Fury earnings vs Oleksandr Usyk a drop in the ocean to Cristiano Ronaldo's salary
READ MORE Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk scorecards and punch stats after thrilling split decision
Don't miss...
How Jurgen Klopp revitalised the city of Liverpool [LATEST]
'Guardiola said I could be world's best - now I'm being told to go to Palace' [LATEST]
Kane injured before Euros as England captain struggles with 'everyday movements' [LATEST]
A second face off between Fury and Usyk should come as no surprise, considering Saturday’s highly anticipated fight had a contract clause allowing the loser to call for an immediate rematch. The fighters are expected to tentatively step back into the ring together in mid-October.
Discussing the rematch clause on Wednesday’s episode of “The MMA Hour,” Queensberry Promotions founder and Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said: “The loser of the fight, which I hope to be Usyk, but the loser of the fight has the option to call for the rematch. That rematch, he will get extremely, extremely well paid for. Huge money.
“So I’d be very surprised, unless [Usyk] retires, [if] that will [not] happen,” Warren added. “He won’t fight in September anyway, Tyson, he’s down to fight for the rematch if it happens in October.”
On the heels of his first career loss, Fury argued that he deserved to win the fight, additionally asserting that he would be enacting the rematch clause.
"I believe I won that fight. I believe he won a few of the rounds but I won the majority of them. What can you do?" Fury said. "We both put on a good fight, best we could do. His country's at war, so people are siding with the country at war, but make no mistake, I won that fight and I'll be back. I've got a rematch clause."
Later in the post-fight press-conference, Fury added: “I thought I did enough, but I’m not a judge. I can’t judge a fight while I’m boxing it... Everyone in the corner believed we were up.”
If Usyk and Fury end up rematching, the undisputed world champion appears poised to enter the fight as the betting favourite.
