Tyson Fury co-starred in the first undisputed heavyweight clash in over two decades this year, losing out on a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk.

Before the fight was made, the Brit’s team came under fire from some corners of the boxing world for matchmaking, choosing a voluntary defence against Derek Chisora in late 2022 before returning ten months later to face former UFC Champion and boxing debutant, Francis Ngannou.

During that time, Fury said that nobody was willing to step up and face him, including former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. The Mexican-American – who was ranked highly with the WBC at the time – was accused of pricing himself out, with claims that he asked for $20 million for the bout.

Speaking to Cornerman Boxing, Ruiz Jr said that it was a lie to cover up the fact that Fury was afraid to fight him.

“Tyson Fury – everybody kept saying that I was asking for too much money. Everything was a lie, bro. That’s what I know that people are scared to fight me. That’s why I gotta be 100%.

Yes [I think Fury is scared]. Everybody is. Everybody is always gonna underestimate this little man. It’s gonna be hard. With my style it’s a little hard to adapt to.”

A fight between the pair couldn’t seem further away at this point, with Fury set to rematch Usyk in December and Ruiz to return from a near-two year layoff to face Jarrell Miller on August 3.

Should he win, the 34-year-old is adamant he still wants the fight as well as a challenge against Usyk and a trilogy with Anthony Joshua – the man he won three belts from before losing them back in an immediate second fight.

Following a fascinating first encounter, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalries on December 21.

When these two heavyweight champions first met in May, it was the first time the undisputed title had been contested since Lennox Lewis won it almost a quarter of a century before.

In a close fight, both men had periods of success, though it was the Ukrainian southpaw who landed the standout blow of the battle and sent Fury spinning around the ropes to earn himself a knockdown.

After 12 rounds, he was awarded a split decision win to become the holder of all four major belts plus the Ring Magazine and lineal title, six years after doing the same down at cruiserweight, and 12 years after becoming an Olympic gold medalist.

Speaking to the Criminal Connection Podcast, former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno was asked for his view on who won the fight and said he scored it in favour Usyk.

“Usyk won, I think. You can’t really deny that. You can try and go round the corners or whatever but Usyk won.”

Since the final bell, Usyk has admitted he made mistakes that will not be repeated in the rematch, while Fury has said he was having too much fun and next time will get the job done properly.

Former Fury victim Dillian Whyte has claimed it could be hard for ‘The Gyspy King’ to turn things around in the second fight given the toll previous battles may have taken him and mindful of the fact that Usyk’s confidence will be through the roof after winning the initial meeting.