Former MMA star Chris Algieri says Tyson Fury must fight Oleksandr Usyk again 'for the sake of his legacy'.
The Gypsy King was stunned in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, with Usyk winning on points after a stellar performance at the Kingdom Arena.
Fury had previously been unbeaten as a professional but, now, has tasted defeat for the very first time.
A rematch with Usyk is set to take place later in the year, with fans likely to be treated to another classic in October.
Tyson Fury has been told he must fight Oleksandr Usyk again 'for the sake of his legacy'
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And Algieri, writing for Boxing Scene, says Fury must fight Usyk again 'for the sake of his legacy'.
"During his post-fight interviews Tyson Fury was very sober about how his fight with Oleksandr Usyk went, and he was gracious in defeat, so the news that he intends on activating his rematch clause comes as no surprise," he wrote.
"I thought he was very gracious – he gave the perfect answers for someone who’s as genuine as he is – which also showed the respect he has for Usyk.
"They’d had a fantastic fight, and for the sake of his legacy, Fury has to fight Usyk again.
"His legacy is going to be in question – which isn’t necessarily fair, not least because it’s only going to be questioned in light of how recently he suffered his first loss.
"Every great heavyweight has lost.
"If Fury beats Usyk in a rematch – and then potentially fights him for a third time – it really enhances his legacy.
"He’s also capable of winning a rematch – it was a very close fight.
"Watching live I scored seven of 12 rounds to Usyk and five to Fury, and of course recorded the 'knockdown' for Usyk.
"When I watched the fight back on Sunday, I was tempted to score it six-six.
"Regardless, I truly believe that if Fury didn’t get hurt in the eighth round – it was the ninth when he took a standing count – he’d have won.
"It’s not just how the ninth round affected the scorecards, it’s how long it took Fury to recover.
"When a fighter gets hurt like that, they’re not trying to win the rounds like they were previously; they’re trying to recover from being hurt first, which he did.
"Fury won the 12th round by showing incredible heart and boxing really well.
"The rematch is very winnable for him."
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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk put on a show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night
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Fury was gracious in defeat, embracing Usyk in the ring and paying tribute to his rival.
He did, however, raise eyebrows by appearing to suggest the 37-year-old only won due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
But his promoter, Frank Warren, has defended Fury by reminding the world that the boxing star has bipolar.
“I get quite angry. I’ve just got back and I’m reading some of the reports," he told talkSPORT.
"Tyson is bipolar. If you go on the NHS site and look at what the symptoms are of bipolar, some of the things is saying exactly what is on your mind.
Tyson Fury promoter Frank Warren says the Gypsy King is willing to fight Oleksandr Usyk for a second time
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“If it’s in your mind, you say it. That is one of the symptoms, unfortunately.”
He added: “Tyson, you look at him immediately after that fight, he kisses [Usyk] at least three times on the forehead and on the cheek.
“With Tyson, he’s said in the past, ‘I’ve retired’. And a couple of months later, ‘I’m fighting again’.
"That’s unfortunately one of the things that happens with people who suffer from a dreadful illness.
“It was called manic depression years ago, now it’s called bipolar.
"It’s all well documented the problems he’s had down the years. Tyson is a warrior."
