Tommy Fury has paid tribute to his half brother Tyson following the latter’s world heavyweight title defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Tyson suffered the first defeat of his professional career in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, losing his WBC title to Usyk with the Ukrainian crowned the division’s first undisputed world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
‘The Gypsy King’ looked to be course for the win before a thrilling fightback from Usyk saw him take control in a thrilling ninth round, going onto clinch a split decision victory.
Tommy Fury had been present in Saudi throughout fight week, with his half-brother in the dressing room in the hours leading up to the opening bell inside the Kingdom Arena.
Sharing a picture of the two, Tommy wrote on Instagram: ‘The biggest heart in boxing… you will always be my biggest inspiration no matter what.’
Tommy Fury has not fought in the ring since his victory over KSI last October, revealing he had undergone hand surgery at the start of the year.
Tyson meanwhile will have the opportunity to avenge Saturday’s defeat with a rematch between the two already agreed and likely to take place in October this year.
Speaking after the fight, Tyson’s promoter Frank Warren insisted they would take their option to activate the rematch clause with Usyk’s team insisting they will honour that agreement.
But Warren has not ruled out the possibility of either man retiring following Saturday’s war.
‘We are committed because there’s a contract signed,’ Warren said. ‘However, Tyson’s got to want to do it and Usyk has got to want to do it.
‘If one of them says “I’ve had enough” that could be the case. And that would be their choice.
‘They’re two guys who gave everything in that ring, both of them.’
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