Oleksandr Usyk was denied KO of Tyson Fury by referee stepping in early when Brit was out on his feet in ninth round of epic fight, claims Ukrainian’s manager and David Haye

Oleksandr Usyk was robbed of an emphatic knockout of Tyson Fury in the ninth round of their epic heavyweight title fight, claims the Ukrainian’s manager. 

Alexander Krassyuk spoke in the aftermath of Usyk’s split decision win over the ‘Gypsy King’ and argued that Usyk would have finished his opponent if it had not been for the referee stepping in to call a knock down with Fury still upright. 

Krassyuk said: ‘I’m exhausted, I was backing Usyk all fight. No disrespect to the referee but I think he stopped a KO in the ninth but anyway it was a tremendous performance. 

‘It was unbelievable and I hope to see more in the rematch.’

The moment of the fight came after Usyk had shifted the momentum, landing a stunning left hand to scatter Fury’s senses and send him bouncing from rope to rope. 

Oleksandr Usyk rocked Tyson Fury badly in the ninth round and the referee intervened

Fury was out on his feet and slumped on the ropes when given a standing count 

The Brit suffered the first defeat of his career but avoided being knocked out 

Somehow he managed to stay on his feet while Usyk chased him, attempting to land the killer blow. 

But the referee Mark Nelson called a knockdown with Fury on the rope, which he was entitled to do, giving him a standing count. 

Many, including Krassyuk and former heavyweight David Haye thought he jumped in prematurely and stopped what looked likely to be a blockbuster finish for the Ukrainian. 

Haye was convinced that Fury was about to be knocked out and accused Nelson of stepping in much too soon.  

More to follow…