Tyson Fury has beaten Deontay Wilder in a thrilling heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, retaining his WBC heavyweight title.
Fury knocked Wilder out at 1:10 into the 11th round, with a brutal left-right combination after an epic brawl in which both men were dropped, twice, before the knockout. “I’m the WBC champion, the Ring Champion and the lineal champion.
There can be little doubt that Fury has cemented his status as one of the all-time greats after one of the best fights Las Vegas has ever witnessed, a trilogy fight worthy of recognition as one of the best ever staged.
Wilder had looked incredibly focused all week, barely responding to Fury’s energetic taunting at the weigh-in and press conference, remaining calm where, pre-fight, he said: “When I’m calm, I can make the best decisions possible.”
Fury though, described the fight as “a pantomime show, like Broadway in Las Vegas”, which was born out in the typically theatrical ring-walks that preceded the fight.
Wilder, having delayed his entry, came to the ring wearing a typically ornate costume, while Fury entered dancing and singing along to AC/DC’s You shook me all night long, while dressed as a Roman Centurion.
The pair repeatedly jawed at each other while receiving their instructions, a small taste of the bad blood that has fuelled this rivalry, right up the moment the bell rang, and they engaged in a rematch 20 months in the offing.
Wilder — who weighed in at a career-high 107.9 kilograms — came out swinging in the first round, forcing Fury to backtrack and stay away from the vicious right hand that was responsible for his 41 career knockouts.
However Fury — who also came in at a career-high of 125.6kg — landed the first telling blow, knocking the American down with a massive right hand in the third.
That helped Fury regain his ascendancy, but he remained wary of Wilder’s irrefutable power, despite landing with repeat, concussive blows to the head off a stiff jab and devastating right hook.
The Briton’s superior ring-craft and near 20kg weight advantage became increasingly evident as the fight went on, with every clinch sapping Wilder’s energy and every one-two combo taking their toll.
It was evident the American was wobbled a number of times before finally going down again in the 10th round, courtesy of another clubbing right.
