Ricky Hatton has given his breakdown of the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk this past weekend.
This was the first time that all four heavyweight belts had been contested in 25 years. The bout saw former WBC and Lineal champion Fury suffer his first career defeat. The fight was closely contested, with Fury finding success in the middle rounds before Usyk asserted control in the latter half.
In the ninth round, Usyk managed to drop Fury with a flurry of punches. Although the Gypsy King was able to recover, Usyk ultimately secured victory by split decision, with the judges scoring it 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, 114-113 Usyk.
Speaking to Boxing Now, Hatton gave his view on the contest and thinks the right man was given the win.
“I thought it was a fair result to be honest. Sometimes it’s open to interpretation whether you like the boxing off the back foot, Tyson did some really good stuff. Boxing has always been do you like the pressure or the person off the back foot.
“I think it was a great fight. The round with the knockdown, what a round, Tyson how he stayed on his feet, he must have bounced off every corner. But yeah I think the best man won but Tyson did us proud again.”
He was then asked if Fury could have been stopped in the ninth round.
“I think if the referee had have jumped in, it was only the ropes keeping him up. Tyson’s frame, he likes to lean back, he bounced off the ropes and was taking punches so it wouldn’t surprise me if the referee did jump in but he got through it.
“It was a great fight, but I think Usyk probably did deserve it. I think Usyk did enough. They both performed really well, it was a great fight and a great occasion, just a shame it didn’t swing over to your corner. I thought it was going to be a chess match to be honest with you.”
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