KSI has branded Tyson Fury ‘deluded’ and a ‘t***’ for claiming that Oleksandr Usyk was handed victory in their title fight because his country, Ukraine, is at war with Russia.
Usyk was awarded the victory by split decision with scores of 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Fury was respectful in defeat but believed he was the rightful winner and argued that ‘people are siding with the country at war’.
Usyk had the better of the opening skirmishes before Fury dominated the middle rounds, but the Ukrainian’s endurance prevailed and he took the latter stages, with a 10-8 score in round nine.
YouTube star KSI was vexed by Fury’s comments, tagging him in a post on X and writing: ‘F*** OFF YOU T***. You’re actually deluded.’
+12
KSI has branded Tyson Fury a ‘t***’ and ‘deluded’ after the boxer claimed Oleksandr Usyk was awarded his split decision win because Ukraine, his homeland, is at war with Russia
+12
The Gypsy King said, ‘I won the fight’, and claimed ‘people are siding with the country at war’
Tyson Fury ready for a rematch after losing against Usyk
KSI’s profile in sport is increasing with the growth of his Misfits Boxing promotion which he founded in 2022.
Fury, who is expected to pocket north of £100m for his role in an era-defining clash in Saudi Arabia, was adamant he had won in the immediate aftermath of the bout.
‘I believe I won that fight,’ he said to DAZN. ‘And I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them.’
He added: ‘I believe we both put on a good fight – best we could do. And, you know, his country is at war. People are siding with the country at war.
‘Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.’
On another night, perhaps Usyk could have been hailed as the winner. TNT Sports’ pundit Richie Woodhall scored the fight 114-114 as it had been so competitive.
It was a monumental night for the heavyweight division, with Usyk being crowned the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era, and the first since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.
After the slugfest in Saudi, both fighters showed respect to each other with Fury seen putting his arms around Usyk’s shoulders inside the ring.
+12
Usyk was crowned the first undisputed heavyweight world champion of the four-belt era
+12
Fury and Usyk were respectful after the fight but the Gypsy King felt he was hard-done by
Tearful Oleksander Usyk misses father after ‘historical’ win
Usyk, who held up a Ukraine flag after the fight, thanked his team for helping him succeed, before stating he was ready for the rematch that Fury demanded.
‘We’ll go back to our families and I’ll see him again in October. We’ll go back, rest up,’ Fury said.
‘I believe I won the fight but I’m not going to sit and cry and make excuses. We’ll run it again in October.’
In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Usyk had said that he wants to give back to those who have suffered from the war in his home country.
His charity, the Usyk Foundation, has launched a major fundraising campaign to raise 1million EUR to purchase 50 ambulances to save Ukrainian lives amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Speaking on the conflict he said: ‘My everyday routine begins with picking up the phone and reading the news about how many rockets have landed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities today.
Oleksandr Usyk ready to go home after victory against Tyson Fury
+12
Usyk recently told Mail Sport that he wants to give back to people who are suffering in Ukraine
+12
He produced a stunning comeback to beat Fury on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
+12
The Ukrainian had Fury troubled in the ninth round and nearly knocked out the Gypsy King
+12
The victory sees Usyk become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in this century
+12
Fury started the fight well however began to fade as the heavyweight title bout went on
‘Every morning I check to see if all of my friends and loved ones are alive and pray for their safety. And this is how millions of Ukrainians start their day.
‘Before the undisputed fight, I received many words of support from all over the world. Those words inspire and motivate me.’