It’s been revealed exactly what Tyson Fury‘s corner told up just moments before the final round of his bout against Oleksandr Usyk.
In a thrilling contest where neither man refused to give an inch, it was Usyk who finished the stronger, just as he did seven months ago, to pick up a repeat victory.
Usyk became undisputed champion by just a single point in May as he earned a split decision win, but this time it was more clear-cut as all three judges scored the bout 116-112 in his favour.
Fury promptly left the ring after the result was announced and swiftly claimed that he felt he’d won the bout by at least ‘three rounds’ before learning of his defeat.
However, it’s now been revealed what the Gypsy King was informed by his team heading into the final round and it shows that he perhaps should’ve shown more ambition.
According to The Sun, Fury’s head trainer SugarHill Steward said: ‘You’ve got to take it now. There ain’t no tomorrow, you hear me? It’s now.
‘The fight is too f***ing close, you need to take this mother f***er. You’ve got to keep your legs f***ng moving.
‘Keep your god-damn hands up and give it everything you’ve got Tyson, you hear that? You’ve got to take it, don’t get stupid, but you’ve got to take it’.
Ultimately, Fury did not take it and suffered his second loss to the Ukrainian.
The 36-year-old was later caught backstage by reporters and, when asked for his thoughts on the scorecards, the Gypsy King offered a surprise response.
Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing after the fight, he said: ‘I swear to God, I thought I won by three rounds!’
Later, ESPN reported that Fury also said: ‘I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again. I was on the front foot the entire time. When you don’t get the knockout this is what can happen.’
Usyk appeared bemused when asked if he deserved to get his hand raised before he was confronted by heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois who called for a rematch after losing to the Ukrainian great last year.
The punch stats revealed Fury had thrown more punches in the contest, with 509 to Usyk’s 423. But Usyk landed 179 across the 12 rounds compared to 144 by Fury.
Overall Usyk landed 42 per cent of his punches, with Fury way down on 28 per cent.
In the press conference, Fury was flatly asked what’s next for him after coming up short in undisputed and then unified title fights, signalling the first losses of his entire professional career.
‘You might see me fight again, you might not,’ he cryptically answered.
But most of the boxing world suspects we do indeed see him fight again and, finally, against Anthony Joshua.
The domestic dust-up has been mooted for the best part of a decade, ever since Fury first became champion when he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.
