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Tony Bellew believes boxing referee Mark Nelson 'knows he made a mistake' during Oleksandr Usyk's win over Tyson Fury on Saturday night. Fans at the Kingdom Arena, as well as those watching on at home, were treated to a classic with both men putting on a spectacle in Saudi Arabia.
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The biggest moment of the fight came in the ninth round, with Usyk managing to get on top.
The 37-year-old unleashed a flurry of punches to make Fury wobble, only for referee Nelson to intervene and stop him from landing a decisive blow.
Tony Bellew believes Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk referee Mark Nelson 'knows he made a mistake'
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Fans on social media were extremely critical of Nelson in the aftermath, believing he stopped Usyk from knocking Fury out.
And Bellew, speaking to talkSPORT, has criticised the decision to temporarily halt the bout - while also saying Nelson 'knows' he got the decision wrong.
“Without being too harsh, it should’ve been stopped in the ninth round," he said.
“Well, [Usyk] should’ve been allowed to continue punching in the ninth round, that should have never been a count and the referee knows he made a mistake.
“In professional boxing, you don’t get a standing count unless you are about to hit the floor and the ropes keep you up.
“[Fury] was stumbling around. He stumbled four times previously to the fifth stumble.
"It was on the fifth stumble he [Nelson] jumped in.
“Oleksandr Usyk only needs two more punches there and it’s the end of the contest. That was stolen from him.”
Despite Usyk being able to rock Fury, it was still a close battle.
Yet Bellew thinks the right man won, with the 41-year-old adding: “Ultimately, forget about that now because I want boxing to be put out there as the greatest spectacle sport in the world.
“The most important thing is the right man got the decision, there was no corruption with judges and no controversy.
“The right man won, and we have an undisputed, unified, four-belt heavyweight champion of the world for the first time in boxing history.”
Fury has hinted he'll go for a rematch with Usyk later in the year.
The duo are widely expected to duel again in October, with Saudi Arabia again primed to host the occasion.
But Bellew is unsure if Fury will be lured back to the ring by the prospect of another clash with Usyk, who has now ended his unbeaten record as a professional.
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Tyson Fury was wobbled by Oleksandr Usyk during their thrilling boxing match on Saturday night
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"Money dictates everything when it comes to boxing and you’re looking for an absolute fortune this boy is going to get to face a rematch,” Bellew stated.
“He’s not fighting for the money, he just wanted to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
"He might just get a second go at that.
“I’m not so sure he will because I think these belts might be broken up now.
“Listen, that fight on Saturday night was a memorable night, a great event. Oleksandr Usyk was unbelievable and so was Tyson Fury.”
Tyson Fury was gutted after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia
REUTERS
Fury and Usyk are now set to spend some time resting up with their families after the clash.
And whether they do indeed go up against each other for a second time remains to be seen.