Tyson Fury is an entertainer, a man who has always been comfortable strutting his stuff on the biggest stage of all.
However, on Saturday night, the Gypsy King suffered the first defeat of his professional career with Oleksandr Usyk winning their fight on points at the Kingdom Arena.
Fans in Saudi Arabia, as well as those watching at home and from around the world, were treated to a classic.
Some were unsure if the bout would live up to the hype but both men produced sensational performances, with Usyk eventually crowned champion via split decision.
Tyson Fury paid the price for showboating in his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night
REUTERS
Usyk started better, with Fury then getting back into the contest. At one point, the 35-year-old looked to be comfortably ahead.
Yet Usyk is undefeated for a reason and the Ukrainian displayed his usual tenacity and energy to eventually reign supreme.
Fury's behaviour during the fight was questionable, however.
He started to showboat early on, performing a kind of 'get a load of this' gesture during the first couple of rounds to spark laughter around the stadium.
On multiple occasions he played up to the crowd, with a big smile on his face, seemingly feeling he was in cruise control.
Yet showboating only really looks good when you're winning.
And while Fury is a great entertainer, and a great champion as well, his playful antics ultimately came back to bite him.
Fans were unsure what version of the Briton would turn up.
He had been poor during his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou in October, only winning that fight via split decision after being knocked down in round three.
Fury decided to trim the fat and slim down for this fight, with the Gypsy King in the best shape of his career.
Yet while he produced a gladiatorial effort in the ring, it wasn't enough against a man who is simply from another planet.
Usyk was outstanding. Going up against a man considerably taller than himself, he was always going to have to be perfect in order to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
There were some nervy moments, with Fury recovering from a slow start to pose a genuine threat.
Yet Usyk was deserving of the win - no matter what his rival says.
Fury praised Usyk on his victory. However, he couldn't resist sparking controversy by appearing to suggest the judges only gave his opponent the win because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Tyson Fury seemed to suggest Oleksandr Usyk only won due to the ongoing war in Ukraine
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"I believe I won that fight," Fury said. "I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them.
"His country's at war so people are siding with the country at war.
"Make no mistake I won that fight and I'll be back.
"We go back to our families and we run it back in October.
"I'm not going to sit here and cry and make excuses."
Oleksandr Usyk is in top of the world after his narrow win over Tyson Fury on Saturday night
REUTERS
But Fury has stooped low and his comments should be disregarded.
Bringing a war, an ongoing war, into matters is a bad look. It makes him look like a bad loser, someone who can't accept defeat.
He is wrong and the judges were right. For all of Fury's brilliance on the night, Usyk was simply one level above.
And how the rematch in October pans out remains to be seen.
