Oleksandr Usyk 'was robbed' during win over Tyson Fury - 'Gifts were given'

With Fury on the ropes, it looked as though he'd be knocked down.

Yet referee Mark Nelson intervened, sparing the blushes of the Briton in the process.

Wilder has now provided his verdict on the recent fight at the Kingdom Arena.

He says it was a 'great fight' but does believe Usyk was 'robbed' of a knockout.

The Bronze Bomber said, per talkSPORT: "I thought it was a great fight. I was on the fence of things, I didn’t know who was going to win.

"I always think it’s what dog brings what bite to the fight and Oleksandr’s bite was bigger than his.

"I think he [Usyk] got robbed in the ninth round of a knockout for sure, gifts were given."

Fury and Usyk are set to meet for a second time later in the year.

Another clash in Saudi Arabia is on the cards, with Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, recently confirming their upcoming showdown.

And Wilder admits it's tough to predict how things will pan out when both men enter the ring again.

"The rematch, who knows, it's all about what person brings what dog to the fight," he continued.

"Many times we have good days and we have bad days, you just never know.

"If I had to pick I would say Usyk but let's see what happens."

Warren, meanwhile, has claimed Fury is confident he'll be able to beat Usyk when they meet later in the year.

Fury was on top prior to being left reeling in the ninth round, something Warren says will boost his confidence.

"I think he can, he believes he can," when asked if Fury could be a better fighter.

"The truth of the matter is there was a point in the fight, I think at the end of the seventh round when he caught Usyk with a couple of really good uppercuts and he was struggling a bit, but he went back to the corner and found a second wind and came out and caught Tyson with a really good shot on the nose.

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"It seemed to trouble Tyson a bit, it took his momentum away a bit, obviously we know what happened in the ninth.

"It was a fight of two halves, Tyson knows what he has to do and I'm sure Usyk does.

"Both of those guys were in an absolute war that has taken a lot out of both of them.

"It will be interesting to see when it does happen who it has impacted the most."