Tyson Fury reveals three regrets after devastating defeat to Oleksandr Usyk ends unbeaten record - 'I think'

Tyson Fury reveals three regrets after devastating defeat to Oleksandr Usyk ends unbeaten record - 'I think'

WATCH NOW: Aidan Magee analyses Tyson Fury's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 20/05/2024

- 08:53

The Gypsy King lost for the first time as a professional on Saturday night

Tyson Fury has admitted to having three regrets after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

The bout between the two men was a classic, with the duo both aggressive during the contest at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.


Yet while Usyk was unable to floor Fury, the Ukrainian won via split decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.

It was a tough defeat for Fury to accept, with the Briton immediately suggesting Usyk only won due to sympathy for the war in Ukraine.

Boxing news Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury has opened up on regrets after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia

REUTERS

There's talk of a rematch, even if some figures think Fury could choose to retire from boxing.

And the 35-year-old, via The Sun, has now admitted to having regrets.

Fury feels he should have been better with his defence, while also admitting he needed to be more focused.

And the Briton also seems to regret his showboating, too.

“I think I’d keep my defence a little tighter, more focused and not so much messing around," he said.

Fury was widely criticised after his defeat to Francis Ngannou back in October.

After slimming down and working hard in the gym, however, he was in the shape of his life for Saturday's showdown.

Some question whether he still has the appetite to be a champion after so many years of working at the very highest level.

But Fury insists he remains passionate about the sport - and will only quit once his stance on the matter changes.

“I'm not boxing because I've got no money, I'm boxing because I love it," he explained.

“I'm 36 in a few months, I've been boxing since I was a child. Where does it all end?

“You have 100 fights and you have brain damage and are in a wheelchair?

“For as long as I'm loving the game, I'll continue to do it, and when I don't, I'll pack it up.”

Fury also criticised his corner, suggesting they misled him into thinking he was ahead of Usyk on points.

“I'm not a judge and I can't judge a fight while I'm boxing it," he added.

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Boxing news Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury regrets 'messing around' during his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk

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“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'm not going to cry about it, I've had plenty of victories.

“I was having a lot of fun, I was playing around, I had my hands around my back, I was enjoying it.”

While it was a painful defeat for Fury, it was a joyous night for Usyk.

Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk was delighted after battling his way to victory over Tyson Fury

REUTERS

And the Ukrainian admitted he'd put everything into preparing for the bout, missing numerous family occasions as a result.

“Nine months I worked. I missed new year, I missed my son’s birthday... I missed my daughter’s birthday," he revealed.

“I missed family holidays, all the time [I was] training, training, training. My focus was on this fight.”

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