Tyson Fury issues X-rated response to AI score of Oleksandr Usyk fight
Tyson Fury lost his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk and was left disappointed with the judges' decision following the bout but was even more offended by the assessment of an additional judge
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorTyson Fury has blasted the scoring of his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk by an artificial intelligence judge, declaring: "F*** all computers."
The Gypsy King fell to defeat once again against his 37-year-old opponent in Saudi Arabia to earn a further blemish on a previously sterling record. Usyk defended his WBA, WBO and WBC belts following a unanimous points decision from the judges, with Fury left frustrated.
The scorecards all showed 116-112 in Usyk's favour, in a close contest the Ukrainian ultimately outperformed his rival in. In another sickening blow to Fury's pride, an AI judge also ruled that Fury was defeated.
Though this fourth judge had no bearing on the result, Turki Alalshikh pushed what has been called a 'groundbreaking experiment' to revolutionise boxing, with fair assessment. On this occasion the AI suggested an even greater margin of victory for Usyk, scoring the fight 118-112.
"F*** all computers," Fury said when he learned of the resul. "More jobs for humans."
Fury was almost as dismissive of technology's human counterparts. The British fighter believed he'd secured victory at the final bell.
Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "I swear to God, I thought I won by three rounds!"
''I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again," he added to ESPN. "I was on the front foot the entire time. When you don't get the knockout, this is what can happen."
Ahead of the bout between Fury and Usyk, Alalshikh promoted the experimental use of AI, after the first fight was won via split-decision.
"For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight," Alalshikh said, "Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring."
A similar sentiment was expressed in a video he shared: "For years boxing has been defined by its glory but sometimes that glory is clouded by doubt and controversy. Isn’t it time for fairness to step into the ring?
The promotion added "This isn’t just AI, it’s revolutionizing boxing. It’s fairness powered by technology and human expertise."
Fury's post-fight assessments had to wait after he stormed out of the ring on Saturday evening. The former champion continued to make his unhappiness felt in a press conference.
"The judges gave him a Christmas gift," Fury said. "I feel like I won both fights. I know I had to knock him out but it's boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight.
"Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two."
"I'm not going to cry over spilt milk, it's over now." he added, "I've been in boxing my whole life but I'll always feel a little bit hard done by - not a little bit, a lot."