Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk went the distance in their undisputed heavyweight title fight, the Ukrainian taking it on a split decision.

Fury’s success in the middle rounds had some pundits believing that the end was nigh for Usyk, but his distinct ability to recover and move up gears saw him nearly stop the Brit in the ninth.

The 10-8 round was crucial on the scorecards, and Usyk left Riyadh as the sole heavyweight champion.

Speaking to IFL TV, Shane Fury – Tyson’s brother and stalwart of his camp – said he had scored the bout in favour of his brother from ringside.

“On the night, I genuinely thought [Tyson] won. When we got in the ring I was talking to Usyk like well done, you’re a brilliant man, next time you’ll be better, cause they had a rematch. I was genuinely shocked. I thought Tyson won.”

However upon rewatching, the Fury camp manager gives the nod to the Ukrainian – a commendable change of opinion given it was his brother’s first professional loss.

“Watching it back, I thought Usyk won. I watched it back and Usyk, he won the fight in my opinion. Very close. The rounds that Tyson won, Tyson won big time and hurt him and so on. The rounds that Usyk won, before round nine … he nicked rounds. The damage was done – the eighth round he got punched on the nose and it disorientated him. He lost focus and then got caught. It’s heavyweight boxing.”

Tyson himself still believes he did enough to become undisputed. He will get another shot at Usyk on December 21, but only three of the four major belts will be on the line.