Tyson Fury insists he defeated Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed heavyweight contest in May, describing the Ukrainian as resembling a “local amateur boxer.”
Usyk, 37, won the bout by split decision in Saudi Arabia, becoming boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
Fury challenged the decision immediately after the fight and still believes he did enough to deserve the victory.
“I’ve watched the fight back lots and still got the same answer – I thought I won,” Fury said on his YouTube channel.
“Usyk knows he didn’t beat me. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it’d be.
“My problem was I probably had too much fun. It was too easy. It was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer.
“I was enjoying it too much, messing around and paid the ultimate price in round nine.”
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk is undefeated in 22 professional fights, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, and was the undisputed champion at cruiserweight.
The scorecards read 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk, while a third judge scored it 114-113 for Fury.
A rematch between the former WBC champion Fury, 35, and Usyk has been scheduled for December 21, and the Englishman says he is already “back in the gym” preparing.
“I’ve got to get him out of there because I’m not gonna get a decision,” Fury said.
“It’s unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight just by winning it, never mind knowing you’ve got to knock someone out.
“I’m confident and looking forward to the challenge. I hear he’s got a broken jaw and a broken eye socket, so get yourself well and I’ll see you in December.”
There are doubts over whether the undisputed title will be on the line again, with sanctioning body the IBF considering stripping Usyk of the belt as he will not be making a mandatory defence next.
Usyk has requested an “exception” to keep hold of the belt for the rematch.