In the aftermath of his intense and historic victory over Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk has been handed a brief suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control. The decision comes after a grueling match that saw Usyk nearly floor Fury in the ninth round, with only the ropes keeping the Brit upright. Despite Fury’s recovery to hear the final bell, he suffered his first career defeat by split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
### The Match Recap
The undisputed heavyweight championship bout was a spectacle of skill and determination. Usyk’s performance was nearly flawless, and he came close to finishing Fury in the ninth round. The referee’s count gave Fury a chance to recover, but Usyk’s dominance was evident throughout the fight. The judges scored the bout 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, marking a significant milestone in his career.
### Post-Fight Developments
Following the match, Usyk was taken to the hospital for a precautionary check-up. Despite Tyson Fury’s claims that Usyk had sustained a broken jaw, medical examinations gave Usyk the all-clear. However, BoxRec reports that Usyk has been suspended until June 2, presumably due to the physical toll of the match.
This suspension, while notable, will not impact Usyk’s career significantly. After a rigorous nine-month training camp that started in September 2023, Usyk is ready for a well-deserved break. His bout with Fury, initially scheduled for December, was postponed multiple times, eventually taking place in May.
### Usyk’s Reflections and Future
“I don’t want to think about boxing now,” Usyk expressed at the post-fight press conference, accompanied by his daughter Yelizaveta’s Eeyore cuddly toy. “My camp started in September 2023 and I worked for nine months. I missed Happy New Year, my son’s birthday, my other son’s birthday, my daughter’s birthday, and the birth of my daughter. I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight. Now I’m happy and I want to go back home.”
Despite his victory and current status as the undisputed champion, Usyk’s reign may be short-lived. He is expected to be stripped of his IBF title due to his scheduled rematch with Fury in October, which conflicts with the mandatory defense against contender Filip Hrgovic.
### Tyson Fury’s Perspective
Tyson Fury, visibly affected by the severe bout, did not immediately commit to a rematch. “I’ve just had a fight. As you can see from my face, I’m pretty busted up and Usyk’s gone to hospital with a broken jaw. He’s busted up too,” Fury explained. “We punched the f*** out of each other for 12 rounds, so I’ll go home, eat some food, drink a few beers, have some family time, walk the dog, go to the tip. I will regroup and then me and (promoter) Frank Warren will talk about what’s going to happen in the future. I’ll speak to the wife and kids and see what I want to do. If there’s going to be another fight in October, well then rock and roll.”
### Conclusion
As the boxing world digests the aftermath of this monumental fight, the focus shifts to the future plans of both Usyk and Fury. Usyk’s brief suspension and need for rest will provide him time to recuperate and plan his next moves. Meanwhile, Fury’s contemplation of a rematch adds an element of anticipation for boxing fans worldwide. The potential October bout promises another thrilling chapter in the saga of these two heavyweight titans.
*Garrett Kerman covers all combat sports, from MMA and UFC to boxing and bare-knuckle fighting, for ClutchPoints. He is also well-versed in American sports, especially the NFL, focusing on news and betting analysis. The Saint Cloud, Florida native has bylines at Playmaker HQ and Vegas Odds.*
Follow Garrett Kerman on Twitter: [@GarrettKerman](https://twitter.com/GarrettKerman)
