Hay Unhappy with Officiating in Fight of the Century

Former British champion David Haye commented on Oleksandr Usyk's (22-0, 14 KOs) victory over Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) in their bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship (over 90.7 kg).

– What do you think about the referee's actions during the knockdown in the 9th round?

– I think he should have stopped the fight or let Usyk finish his attack. Instead, he interfered and gave Tyson a whole 20 seconds. It's horrible officiating, one of the worst I've seen in such important fights. After that, Fury came back. Imagine if one of the judges had scored it differently, and Usyk lost after Tyson got up and continued the fight.

– What should Fury have done to win?

– Throw more quality power punches to the body and head. He tried not to dominate the fight but to steal rounds.

– Has Usyk now secured his status as the greatest heavyweight of his era?

– 100 percent. What else does he need to do? In just 22 professional fights, he's become the undisputed champion in cruiserweight and heavyweight. Plus, he's an Olympic champion and a world amateur champion. He has beaten the best fighters of his era—Fury and AJ. What more does he need to do?

The fight lasted all 12 rounds and ended with Usyk's victory by split decision. In the 9th round, after an extended attack by the Ukrainian, the referee began counting Fury's knockdown while he was still on his feet but close to falling on the canvas.

Oleksandr Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since November 13, 1999, when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in a rematch.