Tyson Fury has been slammed by fans for his comments moments after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk edged out Fury by a split decision in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night to be come the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
The Ukrainian improved his pro record to 22-0 after the judges scored the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in his favour
Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when Lennox Lewis toppled Evander Holyfield.
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Fury got the better of Usyk in the early rounds, but just about survived a crisis in the ninth round when Usyk sent him staggering into the ropes.
Split decisions are always contentious, and Fury insisted that he deserved to win the fight.
"I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them," Fury said after the bout.
"We both put on a good fight. His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war.
"Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion. We've got a rematch clause. I've had a split decision loss to a good little man. We run it back in October. Well done Oleksandr."
On social media, fans were fuming that Fury used the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an excuse for two of the judges siding with his opponent.
"Fury ABSOLUTELY TASTELESS saying they’ve picked Usyk because Ukraine are at war???" one fans wrote on X.
Another said: "'They’re siding with the country in war'. Classy as always Tyson mate."
A third fan commented: "He lost the fight because he spent too much time backpedaling, & pot shotting. Usyk outworked him - no matter what country is at war, It was a good decision."
A rematch clause in the fight contract means the Fury and Usyk will meet again in October.
Topics: Boxing, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Fan Reactions
Alex Brotherton