Hughie Fury failed in his attempt to emulate his cousin and claim a world title as the British heavyweight dropped a majority decision to defending WBO champion Joseph Parker on Saturday night.
Seven days after a weekend of scandalous scoring in Las Vegas, the judging of Parker vs. Fury also raised some eyebrows as most fight fans viewed the contest as a competitive affair which was a lot closer than the pair of 118-110 reckonings suggested.
For the most part, Fury fought off the back foot but did so brilliantly as he landed some mature counters and proved an elusive target for the New Zealander in a fascinating clash of styles in the Manchester Arena.
The third judge’s tally, 114-114, was probably a fairer reflection of the bout but that means absolutely nothing on Sunday morning as Fury ponders what might have been whilst examining the one defeat on his previously unblemished professional record.
“I thought I’d done enough to win, but I’m not a judge,” the 23-year-old said after the fight.
But while Hughie was contemplative in defeat, his more vocal cousin Tyson couldn’t contain his frustration as he confronted British Boxing Board of Control boss Robert Smith in the ring.
Tyson Fury is going mad in the ring. Arguing with Robert Smith from the British Boxing Board of Control. #FuryParker pic.twitter.com/nO61GAaODc
— Sheldan Keay (@SheldanKeay) September 23, 2017
His cousin’s loss was not Tyson’s only bone to pick with Smith as it’s altogether likely that he mentioned the fact that his ongoing dispute over his still-revoked boxing licence has yet to come close to resolution.
Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy remains in utter shock about the result.
“I thought he skated it, it was an absolute masterclass, shades of Ali. It was beautiful boxing in the heavyweight division,” Hennessey told BBC Radio 5 live.
“Parker wasn’t even in the fight, any punches he was throwing were either missing or hitting elbows or hitting gloves, it was very rare he got through with a clean shot. Hughie absolutely skated that fight.
“That is probably one of, if not the worst, decisions I’ve ever seen in my life, it was disgusting, absolutely disgusting.”
