Tyson Fury faced Oleksandr Usyk again on Saturday night, and this time the result was even more disappointing for the Brit as he suffered his second consecutive defeat to the Ukrainian. The fight transpired at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the judges unanimously scored the bout 116-112 against Fury, leaving many fans and analysts questioning the decision.
Following the announcement of the judges' scores, Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight champion known as 'The Gypsy King', stormed out of the ring, visibly upset by the decision. Amid his disappointment, he was consoled by his wife, Paris Fury, who stood by his side as they made their way to his dressing room.
Fury had initially secluded himself from his family during his training for the rematch, stating he hadn’t seen or spoken to Paris or their seven children for three months. This self-imposed isolation was intended to help him concentrate fully on reclaiming victory from Usyk, who narrowly defeated him previously. Yet, as the fight resulted in yet another loss, the emotional toll was palpable.
Paris’s reaction to the fight's conclusion has caught the public's attention, with footage showing her nervousness and disappointment as the results were being announced. A camera captured her taking deep breaths and mouthing Tyson's name, but upon hearing the fight’s result, her expression shifted to confusion and dismay. Fans quickly took to social media to comment on her visible discomfort with the match's outcome, viewing her reaction as emblematic of their familial bond.
"Paris Fury’s reaction during the decision..." read one tweet from TNT Sports, encapsulating the moment she nodded her head slowly, showcasing the regret she felt. Just before the decision was announced, Paris had expressed confidence in Tyson’s ability to win, telling TNT Sports, "Hopefully with the mood he’s in very quickly and very brutally." Sadly for her, reality did not align with her hopes.
After the fight, Tyson Fury expressed his disbelief at the judges’ scoring, insisting he believed he had won by at least three rounds. “I swear to God, I thought I won by three rounds!” he exclaimed to Sky Sports. Fury's sense of injustice mirrored the sentiments of many fans who felt the scorecards did not reflect the competitive nature of the matchup. Promoter Frank Warren echoed Fury’s shock, describing the results as “nuts” and questioning the judges who had scored the bout so heavily against the British fighter.
The judging decisions sparked intense discussions both live and on social media, where boxing enthusiasts weighed the merits of the judges’ scoring, discussing whether Usyk was genuinely the superior fighter. Usyk, now boasting 23 wins and still unbeaten, remarked humorously on the fallout from Fury's comments about the judges' decision, saying, "Uncle Frank, I think he is blind," turning the criticism back on the boxer's camp.
Despite the loss, Paris has emotionally won over fans with her display of concern and love for her husband, prompting comments about their strong relationship. One user noted, "That’s love & concern! Fury won in life," highlighting the personal victories over box office wins.
While fans expressed disappointment over Fury’s loss, many threads celebrated the support Paris offered, with numerous users implying her emotional presence matters significantly more than the outcome of the fight itself. It was noted by some commentators on social media, “Her man just made 72 million [dollars], I’d be smiling!” meaning, regardless of the match's outcome, the Fury family is financially set.
Another perspective shared was less optimistic, with one user stating, "She knew it was lost after Round 7," providing insight not only on the match but on the emotional rollercoaster of ringside supporters. Despite the loss, Fury remains determined, maintaining his belief he won the fight, solidifying the rivalry between him and Usyk.
The atmosphere surrounding the fight was electric, with hopes high for Fury's potential success and the chance for revenge against Usyk. Instead, the bout ended with the unified heavyweight champion maintaining his titles and sending Tyson Fury back to the drawing board, likely contemplating his next move.
At the post-fight press conference, Fury confirmed his feelings on the loss, saying, "I’ve been in boxing my whole life... I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by—not just a little bit, but a lot.” His comments illustrated the emotional investment he places on this career path, alongside the emotional burden on Paris, who is visibly affected by the loss.
While Fury's future remains uncertain, the love and support from Paris reflect the enduring partnership they share, helping him grapple with the outcomes of professional boxing beyond just the physical fight.