Tyson Fury claimed he was “robbed” after all three judges scored his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk 116-112 in favour of the Ukrainian – but what do the stats say?

Speaking after the fight, Fury claimed: “I thought I won it by at least three rounds. I bossed the fight, on front foot all night… Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up, a lot of people had me at least two.

“I think I won both fights. I think Usyk got a Christmas gift but it’s not Oleksandr’s fault.”

Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson dismissed the claims of a ‘robbery’: “I had it a little bit closer. Usyk initiated almost everything in the fight and Tyson had to react.”

According to Compubox stats, Fury threw 509 punches over the 12 rounds – 86 more than Usyk. However, Usyk landed 179 of his 423 punches – 35 more than Fury.

So, while ‘The Gypsy King’ threw more punches than Usyk, the Ukrainian, arguably, outpunched and outboxed Fury.

Fury’s accuracy dipped slightly from their first fight in May from 31.7 per cent to 28.3 per cent – his lowest accuracy since facing Otto Wallin in 2019.

In contrast, Usyk’s accuracy remained unchanged at around 42 per cent – a ratio Fury has only ever recorded once – in the Derek Chisora trilogy.

How the fight played out

Both boxers landed only six punches in a cagey first round, but Usyk proceeded to land more in every round – apart from the fourth.

Unlike the first fight, Fury landed more as the rounds progressed. However, just like the first fight, Usyk’s output ramped up incrementally – especially during the final four rounds.

Fury has only landed fewer punches than his opponent in two fights since records began – both against the Ukrainian. The Gypsy King also faced a career-high 179 accurate punches during the 12 rounds in Riyadh.

Additionally, Usyk was in front for cumulative punches landed throughout the fight – with the gap growing at a greater rate from the sixth round.

The chart below shows how many accurate ‘power punches’ both fighters landed by round – defined by Compubox as any punch that is not a jab, including hooks, crosses, uppercuts and body shots.

Across 12 rounds, Usyk recorded 106 of these accurate power punches – six more than Fury. By round, Usyk landed more in the opening three rounds, before Fury surpassed his rival in the fourth and fifth.

However, Usyk landed more in four of the remaining seven rounds, with Fury outgunning Usyk in the ninth and 10th before both fighters landed 11 in the final round.

Scorecards | Warren: Tyson only got four rounds in this fight? It’s impossible

Speaking in the ring straight after the fight, promoter Warren added: “How come Tyson only got four rounds in this fight? It’s impossible.

“He’s very disappointed, as I am as well. Everyone along the front [of the ring] thought it was all the same way.

“It’s nuts. Did you only give him four rounds out of eight? I don’t get it.”

Usyk’s response and what does Fury’s future hold?

How did Usyk respond to the claims of “robbery”?

“Okay no problem,” the unified WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion said. “I win, it’s enough. Fury is a great opponent, big and tough. He’s a good man. Tyson does a lot of talk. It’s just [for] show. Twenty-four rounds, listen now it’s already history.”

Meanwhile, Fury has refused to confirm whether he intends to box again or hang up his gloves after suffering his second professional career defeat.

“I want to go home and have a good Christmas,” said Fury. “I have worked hard for this fight. Thanks to everyone who came and supported. You may see me fight again, you may not.”