Tyson Fury was non-committal on his future in boxing after suffering a second successive defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
Questions over the former two-time world heavyweight champion’s position in the sport are now inevitable after he was beaten on points again by the Ukrainian for the second time in seven months in their high-profile title rematch in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Fury more than played his part in another close, captivating battle between the long-time rivals, but was eventually defeated by unanimous decision after all three judges scored the bout 116-112 in favour of former undisputed king Usyk, who retained his WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBO and The Ring titles in more decisive fashion after initially edging a split decision back in May.
But despite another highly-competitive performance, he was unable to avenge his first-ever professional defeat, begin a third separate reign as world heavyweight champion and set up a blockbuster trilogy clash against Usyk.
Instead, Fury now sits with back-to-back losses at the age of 36 and plenty of uncertainty over his boxing future, a topic on which he did not offer any more clarity during his post-fight press conference at the Kingdom Arena.
“I want to go home and have a good Christmas,” he said. “I have worked hard for this fight. Thanks to everyone who came and supported. You may see me fight again, you may not.”
Promoter Frank Warren – who, like Fury, felt his fighter had done more than enough to win Saturday’s rematch as he lamented the scoring – also faced questions over the ‘Gypsy King’s’ next move, insisting that a decision over his future rests with Fury alone.
“We’ll have to see what happens in the future for Tyson,” Warren said. “I thought he was in control, boxed really well and had Usyk on his back foot.
“It’s up to Tyson [if he fights again]. It’s just after a fight and emotions are running high.”
In the ring straight after the result, Warren had said on Fury’s future: “He is very disappointed, as I am too. He felt he did enough to win that fight.
“Who knows what is next and what he will do. He will make that decision.
“It is too early to make decisions now. Emotions are running high straight after a fight, so no decisions can be taken now.”
