By Shaun Murphy-
Tyson Fury has claimed that Anthony Joshua’s legacy ‘is in tatters’ after his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday in Jeddah.
Joshua lost a close fight in his rematch against Usyk , and was outpointed once again as he lost a split decision.
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The Londoner gave a better account of himself against the current pound for pound best boxer, but marginally failed in his mission to stop a man who had dominated the cruiserweight ranks and rose to the heavyweight division in a bid to dominate the division. Usyk’s mission should had failed had Joshua been the future heavyweight great he purported to be, but he lacked superior ability to deliver the kind of decisive victory he needed to regain his belts.
Usyk had beaten Joshua once before, and the former undisputed heavyweight champion had nearly a year to work out how to beat his opponent, but despite all the moral encouragement from boxers and legends of old for him to use his physical advantages to bully the smaller man, Joshua was unable to secure victory when the time came to execute the plan. Usyk was too slippery and fast for Joshua to properly nail, but the the former world champion did not fight like man desperate to win in the earlier rounds.
Tyson Fury, who has so far still not been beaten in a professional fight, ridiculed the contest, which he described as a dull affair. He also said the 2012 olympic champion’s legacy is in tartars.
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Fury felt the contest lacked excitement, though, and aimed another dig at Joshua by stating that another loss shows the Olympic gold medalist is just short of being an elite fighter.
Usyk beats Joshua in world title rematch Image: PA
‘I’ve seen more excitement in Morecambe on a Friday night… Without being disrespectful to Joshua, he’s found his level.
‘He’s lost three of his last five, so clearly he’s come up wanting at a high level,’ Fury said.
Fury has now demanded £500m to face Usyk for a unification fight designed to determine the best heavyweight boxer in the world.
Fury said: To all these suitors out there that want to make the fight, I’m going to give you all seven days,” Fury declared, “till September 1 to come up with the money. If not, thank you very much, it’s been a blast, I’m retired.
“All them offers submitted must be to my lawyer,” he added. “In writing with proof of funds.
“So let the games begin.”
British fans had hoped Joshua would avenge his defeat and set up the biggest fight in British boxing against Tyson Fury. It would have been a massive fight, but one most pundits for good reason believe Tyson Fury would have won very comfortably, judging from his performance against Usyk.
Joshua boxing ability seems to be a product of his olympic success, but he has not shown the full willingness to explode in a professional ring and go to war. If there ever was a time for him to do so, last Saturday was that time.
A clash between two talented fighters in Fury and Usyk is now potentially on the horizon in what will be the biggest heavyweight fight in a long time. Fury would be the bookies favourite, but an ambitious and skilful fighter like Usyk cannot be ruled out to shock the world , after coming this far in the division already.
Fury put up a brilliant show when stopping Deontey Wilder last October in Los Angelis. He went on a knock out Dillian Whyte in his first defence of the belt.
Defeating Usyk and unifying all the belts will make Tyson Fury even bigger than he currently is globally.
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