Heartbreak as Tyson Fury is defeated by Oleksandr Usyk in the fight of the century - as Gypsy King says people 'sided' with his Ukrainian opponent as 'his country is at war' in controversial end to historic clash in Saudi

It was heartbreak for Tyson Fury last night as he lost his undefeated crown during a thrilling clash in the Middle East.

The Gypsy King lost in a split decision against challenger Oleksandr Usyk, who was crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis a quarter of a century ago.

The news left British boxing fans devastated after thousands packed into pubs across the country to watch the historic match into the early hours.

But Fury sparked controversy in his post-fight speech when the 35-year-old bruiser appeared to blame his loss on people ‘siding with Ukraine‘ because it was ‘at war’.

Insisting he won the clash, Fury declared: ‘His country’s at war so I think that people are siding with a country at war.’

Klitschko and Shevchenko laud ‘historical’ win for Ukrainian Usyk

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The Gypsy King, 35, lost to the Ukrainian following a vote by the judge in what was billed as one of the biggest fights of the millennium, as they went head-to-head in the first undisputed heavyweight title clash in 25 years

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Usyk has become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999

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Fight fans at Tib Street Tavern in Manchester. The Tib Street Tavern told MailOnline: ‘We’re starting to get busy now with people coming in ready for the fight. We’re mostly just walk-ins but we did have a few people ring up and ask for a booking

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Fans in Tib Street Tavern. A member of staff at the pub said: People are really buzzing for the fight and a lot of them are speaking to staff about who they think are going to win. Unsurprisingly, Fury is the favourite’

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Meanwhile pubs were hoping for a night of knock-out sales, with thousands of fight fans packing out their locals to witness the history-making brawl in the Middle East.

However, the atmosphere inside the stadium has been blasted by fans on social media with one saying ‘you could hear a mouse fart.’

The Sun reports that another spectator claimed ‘there was more atmosphere in Greggs earlier.’

Oleksandr Usyk DEFEATS Tyson Fury via split decision to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world – after stunning comeback from the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia

Usyk has become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999. Fury was the marginal favourite to clinch victory.
Boxing legends such as Anthony Joshua and David Hayes are joining stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia to watch the fight.

Away from the ringside, spectators are flocking to pubs across the UK to watch the highly anticipated face-off.

Bars are already bustling with pub-goers getting ready to take their seats.

The Regents pub in Balham, south-west London, told MailOnline they were expecting over 300 pre-booked fans to arrive.

A member of staff said: ‘It’s very, very busy already. It is going to be amazing. We’ve been taking bookings for the fight for over four weeks.

‘Last time we showed a Fury fight we did really well and it was a great atmosphere so we’re expecting the same tonight!’

Over at London Bridge, Redwood Sports Pub are also closed for walk-ins and are only allowing bookings.

A spokesperson said: ‘We’re expecting to be full capacity but at the moment the atmosphere is quite chill people are just enjoying themselves eating and drinking.’

In Shoreditch, a member of staff at The Corner Shop pub said: ‘Lots of people here right now because we have out clubbing night tonight as well as the Fury fight.

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Fury during his post-fight speech appeared to claim people were siding with Ukraine because it was at war and he said believed he won the fight. Fury said: ‘His country’s at war so I think that people are siding with a country at war’

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Boxing fans watching the Fury vs Usyk at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square. Elsewhere in London, The Regents pub in Balham, south-west London, told MailOnline they were expecting over 300 pre-booked fans to arrive

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The Regents pub in Balham, south-west London, told MailOnline they were expecting over 300 pre-booked fans to arrive. A member of staff said: ‘It’s very, very busy already. It is going to be amazing. We’ve been taking bookings for the fight for over four weeks’

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Fury was the marginal favourite to clinch victory before the match

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Tyson Fury as he enters the ring. Away from the ringside, spectators are flocking to pubs across the UK to watch the highly anticipated face-off. Bars are already busy with pub-goers getting ready to take their seats

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The atmosphere inside the stadium has been blasted by fans on social media with one saying ‘you could hear a mouse fart.’ The Sun reports that another spectator claimed ‘there was more atmosphere in Greggs earlier’

‘It is definitely going to be a great night for sales.’

Away from the capital, pubs are equally ready for a busy night.

The Tib Street Tavern in Manchester city centre said: ‘We’re starting to get busy now with people coming in ready for the fight. We’re mostly just walk-ins but we did have a few people ring up and ask for a booking.

‘We’re expecting a busy one as you can expect. It is always busy when there is a fury fight on.

People are really buzzing for the fight and a lot of them are speaking to staff about who they think are going to win. Unsurprisingly, Fury is the favourite.’

At Dovedales Towers, on Liverpool’s famous Penny Lane, a member of staff told MailOnline: ‘It’s dead busy we’re mostly just doing walk-ins but we have had loads of people ringing up today to ask for bookings.

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Tyson Fury fans at the Hippodrome. At Dovedales Towers, on Liverpool’s famous Penny Lane, a member of staff told MailOnline: ‘It’s dead busy we’re mostly just doing walk-ins but we have had loads of people ringing up today to ask for bookings’

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Usyk punches Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia

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A fan cheers on the fight at Tib Street Tavern in Manchester

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Boxing legends such as Anthony Joshua and David Hayes are joining stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia to watch the fight

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Despite his loss, Fury is guaranteed to make £81.5million from the ‘Ring Of Fire’ clash, with pay-per-view purchases expected to push his earnings beyond £100m. The sum will see the Gypsy King rise up the Forbes ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes

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If Fury does bank the £100m, only Lebron James, Messi and Ronaldo will surpass Fury’s earnings

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Whoever wins tonight’s fight will become the first undisputed world champion of this century

‘People are watching it outside as well and a lot of them have been here all day enjoying the nice weather. It’s like the sun has been charging people up ready for the fight.

‘It is a little bit rowdy but that is to be expected! It is definitely going to be a bumper night sales-wise I reckon.’

Despite his loss, Fury is guaranteed to make £81.5million from the ‘Ring Of Fire’ clash, with pay-per-view purchases expected to push his earnings beyond £100m.

The sum will see the Gypsy King rise up the Forbes ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes. The 35-year-old was placed at 42nd on the business magazine’s list for 2024 ahead of his bid to hold of all the available world titles.

If he does bank the £100m, only Lebron James, Messi and Ronaldo will surpass Fury’s earnings.