Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury was ‘very lucky’ to survive the ninth round of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.
The Gypsy King was wobbled by Usyk, only just managing to stay on his feet as the Ukrainian crashed punches into his face and body.
Usyk went on to win via split decision, with the 37-year-old becoming the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
Fury gave his all but it ultimately wasn’t enough, with the Briton suffering a first defeat of his professional career at the Kingdom Arena.
And Hearn, speaking to DAZN, thinks Fury was ‘very lucky’ the referee didn’t step in to stop the bout during the dramatic ninth round of the contest.
“How he survived the ninth [round]?” he said.
“I thought he was very lucky that the referee didn’t jump in.
“He showed unbelievable heart to stay on his feet and unbelievable composure coming out for the tenth and eleventh rounds.
“He was losing those rounds, but he was recovering.”
Fury has remarkable powers of recovery.
Back in December 2018, when he drew with Deontay Wilder, he memorably climbed up from the canvas after appearing down and out.
Yet while Fury was able to resume his fight with Usyk, and push his opponent all the way, he ultimately came up short.
Speaking after his defeat, the Briton expressed a belief that he deserved to win.
And he sparked controversy by appearing to suggest that Usyk only won due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, too.
“I believe I won that fight. His country is at war so people are siding with someone whose country is at war,” he fumed.
“I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them.
“Make no mistake I won that fight and I’ll be back. We go back to our families and we run it back in October.
“I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses.”
Fury and Usyk both signed a two-fight deal, with a rematch widely expected to take place later in the year.
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Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, insists it will go ahead as planned – with fans likely to be treated to yet another classic.
“It’s his call, whatever Tyson wants to do it’s up to him,” he said.
“The clause in the contract says immediate rematch.”
Usyk, meanwhile, was jubilant after his victory and paid tribute to Saudi Arabia advisor Turki Alalshikh for making the bout happen.
“Thank you so much my team, my God, Jesus. Mr Excellency, thank you this is a big opportunity for me, for my family. Slava Ukraini,” he said.
“It’s great. I don’t have words.”
On a potential rematch, he added: “Of course, I’m ready. One more time we will do a good fight.”
