Tommy Fury: ‘A s*** performance, but I was fighting referee as well as KSI’
AO ARENA, MANCHESTER — Tommy Fury felt he had to overcome both KSI and an over-zealous referee in his lacklustre majority decision win over KSI.
In the eyes of the judges, Fury did just enough to claim victory but even he admitted he wasn’t at his best.
Fury is now 2-0 in 2023 against YouTube stars after he overcame Jake Paul in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, moving his professional record to 10-0 overall.
However, neither of those wins have included a knockout and a man from proud fighting stock told The Sporting News that this stings.
MORE: WATCH: KSI vs. Tommy Fury on DAZN
How did Tommy Fury beat KSI?
The Manchester-born fighter claimed victory in front of a capacity crowd of 20,000 at the AO Arena. His opponent said the result was a “robbery” as all three judges called the bout 57-56 in Fury’s favour – an error in tallying one of the cards meant a majority decision verdict was initially announced in the ring.
KSI vs Tommy Fury official judges’ scorecards… pic.twitter.com/YDti6AJ8KU
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 15, 2023
The fight certainly didn’t go the way Fury would have wanted and, in the second round, he was deducted a point for blows behind the head of KSI. From that moment he felt he was fighting both the YouTuber and the referee.
Fury told The Sporting News: “On a s*** performance, I still got the win. I was fighting KSI, I was fighting the referee because he was very against me but at the end of the day I still came out on top. I want to thank the judges for scoring it as a good contest and onto the next.
“Of course [I’m disappointed not to KO]. I mean, do I think I could’ve done better in there? 100%.
“We knew it was going to be a scrappy fight, me and my whole team knew that the whole entire camp. Similar to when I boxed Anthony Taylor in America.
“They’re just awkward fighters that don’t come to fight and don’t come to engage. They run around the ring and throw a couple of shots and that’s it. They have no combinations, they don’t stand there and trade, they just try and survive and throw the odd shot.
“It’s very awkward to fight but at the end of the day I’ve come out with the victory.”
The 24-year-old was also keen to remind people his career is still young and he is learning from each fight.
“I think everyone is forgetting this – I’m no Olympic gold medalist or seasoned amateur/professional.
“That was my 10th fight there tonight and I had 10 junior fights when I was about 15 so I’m learning on the job as well. I’m happy. A win is a win.”
A very upset @KSI speaks after the loss to @tommytntfury. ????
Watch LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/ge9s1DqVgS#XSeries10 | #KSIFury | #PaulDanis pic.twitter.com/hiblkrke5V
— DAZN Boxing | Buy #KSIFury & #PaulDanis on DAZN (@DAZNBoxing) October 14, 2023
Who will Tommy Fury fight next?
In terms of what’s next for Fury, that is difficult to say. Yes, he’s undefeated but his performances have been somewhat unconvincing against the YouTube boxers.
During his post-fight interview, Fury told DAZN he was done with crossover boxing but then immediately proceeded to call out the Paul brothers.
In a more measured approach, he told The Sporting News he would sit down with his team and that any fight he takes is going to be on his terms.
“Me and the team are going to get around the table and see what’s next. I’m the head of this table now. You can’t say I’m not, I beat Jake Paul and KSI – the two main runners in this game.
“All the future fights will be on my terms and whatever I decide now.”