daniel chigunweThe post-mortem examination into Tyson Fury’s defeat began the moment Oleksandr Usyk’s hand was raised in Saudi Arabia in May.
Victory would have cemented the Gypsy King’s status as the greatest of his generation.
Instead, it was Usyk who become boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion, with Fury left licking his wounds and pondering what could have been.
“It was the most important heavyweight fight of the 21st century, which lived up to all expectations and a result which could have gone either way, but Fury isn’t a cry-baby,” promoter Frank Warren says.
Fury — who was saved by the bell in the ninth round — did not make excuses in the immediate aftermath of the split-decision points loss.
However, an eye injury and consequent lack of sparring, chaos instigated by his team and tragedy back home in Lancashire all contributed to Fury’s demise.
With insight from those who know Fury best, BBC Sport looks at what adjustments the two-time champion has made in preparing for this weekend’s rematch. — BBC.
