Tyson Fury will reportedly consider retirement from professional boxing and even opt out of his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk later this year after he lost his heavyweight belt to the Ukrainian on Saturday.
The Gypsy King appeared to gain control of the fight in the middle rounds against Usyk after a sluggish start.
Fury settled so much into the fight that he even teased his opponent on occasion more than he usually does during fights.
But the 35-year-old had to refocus in the latter rounds as Usyk began to find a second wind and the fight was turned on its head when Fury was rocked by a huge left hand.
Tyson Fury has indicated he will activate the rematch clause
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Referee Mark Nelson only stepped in when Fury was out on his legs in the corner and the bell ended up saving him.
Fury was able to recover and finish the fight, but the damage was already done at that point as Usyk had his arm held aloft as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
He indicated after immediately after the fight that he planned to activate the rematch clause in his contract with Usyk.
However, the Telegraph have suggested Fury could ‘contemplate retirement’ when he returns to his family home.
It’s highly likely that the rematch won’t be for all the major belts with the IBF expected to strip Usyk of his title to get it back in circulation.
That raises questions on whether Fury will have the motivation to get revenge on Usyk, with the rematch expected to be scheduled for later this year if it goes ahead.
But Fury was insistent after the fight that he felt he deserved to be the winner and plans to activate the rematch clause.
“I believe I won that fight,” Fury said.
Tyson Fury felt he deserved to win
GETTY
“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them.
“I believe it was one of those what-can-you-do, one of them… decisions in boxing.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war.
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Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed heavyweight champion
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“Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.
“I’ve had a split decision loss with a little man. Good luck, God bless you.
“We both put on a good fight, best we can do.
“But make no mistake, I won that fight, in my opinion, and I’ll be back. I’ve got a rematch clause.”