Johnny Nelson believes Tyson Fury could leave boxing after losing to Alexander Usyk in their fight for the undisputed world heavyweight title on Saturday night.
Fury lost by split decision, giving up his WBC belt and undefeated record, and Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
In a brutal and ultimately decisive ninth round that saw the Gypsy King get a long count, Fury was saved by the bell after finding himself viciously attacked by Usyk.
He later disputed the fight decision and stressed his desire for a rematch later this year.
“I think Tyson Fury will be shocked by the result,” Sky Sports Boxing’s Nelson said.
“Tyson’s team will have serious discussions after this about how to motivate him and bring him back to his senses.
“Don’t be surprised if Tyson gives up on this.
“What else can he do? How can he improve from this? This defeat will hit him in the head and heart.”
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Take a look back at the moment Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Tyson Fury in the ninth round, with the British boxer saved at the final buzzer.
Usyk looked impressive in both fights, winning the first round before Fury resumed control of the fight and found joy in taking shots to the Ukrainian’s body midway through.
Usyk’s fierce left hand left his opponent’s nose bleeding, and then there was a decisive flash point in the ninth round. After Usyk attacked, Fury was trapped by the ropes in the corner of the ring, and Mark Nelson ruled that his opponent was knocked down.
“Usyk was smart at the beginning and Tyson decided to show off and say ‘I’m better than you’ instead of showing he’s better than him,” Nelson added.
“He will regret his performance, but maybe at the same time he was trying to get past Usyk. Usyk did the right things in the first quarter, and then Tyson started to find his measure, find his length.
“Tyson has been basically at a disadvantage, and when he puts his foot down and pushes Usyk away, that’s when he succeeds.
“He loses confidence in it, and what do you do? That’s show off. You can be busy trying to look good, but when you do that you’re going to fail.”
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Tyson Fury disagrees with the split decision and insists he wants a rematch with champion Alexander Usyk.
Nelson said Fury’s showboating could cause Usyk to move forward with the stress on his body, “costing him the fight.”
“When you see him moving forward and using his strength, length and reach, that’s when he controls Usyk and hurts him,” Nelson said.
“Complacency sets in and he’s thinking ‘I’m the king, you come to me’. Tyson tried to overcome the pressure and Usyk was consistent from the start.
“Won the first three, lost the last three and still put pressure on Fury. Whenever Tyson puts his foot down and has pressure, that’s when he succeeds.”
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Oleksandr Usyk says his win sets him up for a tough fight with Tyson Fury to become the undisputed world champion.
Underscoring his great credentials, Usyk weathered the storm and allowed his elite skills to take over again, following his success at lightweight to earn his crowning moment as the undisputed champion of both weight classes. .
“Usyk continued to apply pressure and when it came to the title match, he started landing clean shots with his left hand,” Nelson continued.
“Tyson showed his heart and courage, but he went away, he shut down and the ropes saved him. Actually, even when Deontay Wilder hit him, he wasn’t that bad.
“Usyk continued to apply pressure until, in the end, Fury’s performance cost him the fight.
“The right guy deserved to win. I know Tyson Fury said he believed he was going to win, I don’t know if that was a scam, but he didn’t win.”
Tyson Fury and Alexander Usyk An epic fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Book the replay now on Sky Sports Box Office.
