Oleksandr Usyk has been handed a short suspension in the wake of his sensational victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday night.
The Ukrainian became undisputed heavyweight champion of the world at the Kingdom Arena, winning the bout via split decision after a stellar display in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk almost floored Fury in round nine, with the Gypsy King wobbling against the ropes, and has been bombarded with praise in the time since.
He was taken to hospital in the immediate aftermath of his victory, however, with Fury claiming he'd broken his jaw.
Oleksandr Usyk has received a suspension in the wake of his victory over Tyson Fury
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Usyk was given the all-clear after a check-up but, according to BoxRec, has now been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control until June 2.
It's presumed, via the Mirror, it's because of his injuries.
There is no suspension on Fury's record, however, even though the 35-year-old was left bloodied and bruised after the showdown went the distance.
The short suspension is unlikely to be an issue for Usyk, however.
Speaking after his win on Saturday night, the Ukrainian said he wanted to spend some time with his wife and family - after sacrificing birthdays and other occasions to prepare for the fight.
"I don’t want to think about boxing now,” he said.
"My camp started in September 2023 and I worked for nine months.
"I missed Happy New Year, I missed my son’s birthday, I missed my other son’s birthday, I missed my daughter’s birthday and then the birth of my daughter.
"I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight.
"Now I’m happy and I want to go back home."
Usyk's cutman, meanwhile, believes referee Mark Nelson was wrong to stop the fight in the ninth round over the weekend.
Usyk was denied a knockout as a result of the decision, with Fury able to regain some of his composure.
Yet Russ Anber believes Nelson got it wrong and expressed a belief Usyk should have been allowed to 'finish the job'.
"No, I don’t think it should have been stopped. I don’t think it should have been scored a knockdown," he said.
“I think Usyk should have been able to finish the job because he had him reeling, he had him going.
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Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night
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“You have the option to stop the fight or let Usyk finish the job. That’s what they tell you in the dressing room. ‘If you’re in trouble, put a knee to the ground because I have no alternative but to stop the fight.’
“You have to understand this. If you get knocked down and your hand gets hooked in the bottom of the ropes and prevents you from falling down you’re out, you can’t go down.
“You’re locked in a position that you can’t go down to the ground.
"Yes, that’s right, but that wasn’t the case.
"He [Fury] bounced off the ropes six different times. Why was the last one any different?
Oleksandr Usyk is on top of the world following his sensational victory over Tyson Fury
REUTERS
"He should have been allowed to finish or stop the fight.
“If he’s defenseless, stop the fight. There’s no standing eight count."
