Tyson Fury has sensationally claimed that Oleksandr Usyk was awarded split-decision victory in their world heavyweight title fight ‘because his country is at war’.

Usyk, who hails from Ukraine, was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after a gruelling battle in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 and 114-113 in Usyk’s favour while the final judge gave it to Fury 114-113.

It was an explosive battle between the heavyweight giants with Fury seeming to take an advantage during the opening rounds, before Usyk fought back late on, dealing a flurry of punches to the Brit in the ninth round, leaving the referee no other option but to deliver a standing count. After the bout, Fury insisted he had won the fight, claiming that Usyk had only won a few rounds.