Tyson Fury: Oleksandr Usyk ‘got a Christmas gift from them judges’ in title rematch

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 21: Tyson Fury reacts following defeat in the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles’ fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Tyson Fury is not happy with the way his championship rematch with Oleksandr Usyk was handled by the judges.

The British boxing star felt short once again against Usyk, coming up short in a 116-112 decision on all three judges’ scorecards in their heavyweight championship rematch – which went down on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. Fury felt he had done enough to get the nod, and feels frustrated with the judging.

“I felt a little Christmas spirit in there. I think he got a Christmas gift from them judges – Christmas gift early,” Fury told reporters in the post-fight press conference.

This Usky vs. Fury rematch had on the line the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles. The two had fought earlier in the year, and Usky was able to go home the winner by split decision.

Fury maintains he won the first fight, and will do the same with this championship rematch.

“I was quite confident. I thought I won that fight again,” Fury said. “I think I have Larry Holmes (syndrome). I thought I won both fights, but yet I’ve gone on with two losses on my record, so there’s not much I can do about it. I can just fight my heart out and do the best I can. Again, I’ll always believe it till the day I die: I thought I won that fight.”

When asked what’s next, Fury’s mind is only focused on spending the holidays with his family. He didn’t swing one way or the other when talking about a potential trilogy with Usyk.

“Going home and having some time off,” Fury said. “You might do, you might not (fight Usyk again). Who knows. We’ll talk about that next year.”