Tyson Fury defeats Deontay Wilder

It’s one year since Fury dethroned Wilder, but he showed all resilience to extend his undefeated professional record to 32 fights after being knocked down twice by Wilder in the fourth round last night.

Fury sent his opponent crashing to the floor with an explosive hit but was shocked to see Wilder stand up like the legendary Undertaker after which Fury found himself on the receiving end of the Bronze Bomber’s huge right hand twice in quick succession.

Wilder was hanging on by the end of the seventh round but was still in a gruelling fight till the 10th, when Fury knocked him down once more, before delivering the final blow in the 11th round which saw Wilder crashing face first to the floor to bring this particular chapter of heavyweight boxing to an end.

“I was down a couple of times, I was hurt, Wilder is a strong puncher. It was a great fight. I will not make any excuses, Wilder is a top fighter, he gave me a run for my money. I always say I am the best fighter in the world and he is the second best. Don’t ever doubt me. When the chips are down I can always deliver.”

Tyson Fury

Fury shows he is never beaten

This might not have been the fight Fury wanted but, after a controversial draw in their first meeting in 2018 and seventh-round stoppage from Fury last time out, it again delivered the blockbuster battle the Las Vegas crowd was craving.

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Tensions had been simmering throughout fight week and only continued to bubble as Wilder’s delayed entrance left the arena waiting, before the lights finally went down and the American, who listed his elaborate and heavy ring-walk outfit as one of the excuses for his loss to Fury last year, emerged in a more understated fur-lined gown.

But the local support could not help but be wowed by Fury once more as he again proved that, despite finding himself on the canvas, you can never write this man off.

Wilder came out looking to dictate from the opening bell with a series of jabs to the body as Fury took his time to size up a remodelled opponent, one new trainer Malik Scott says has more in his tool box than previously shown.

Wilder’s new regime came amid question marks around Fury’s own preparation – the original summer fight date was scrapped when he contracted Covid-19 and quickly rescheduled for October and Fury then had to rush home to the UK to be with wife Paris for the birth of their sixth child, Athena.

American had also closed the gap in terms of weight, and despite Fury carrying 39lbs more than his opponent both were the heaviest of their professional careers at 19st 11lbs to Wilder’s 17st.

Fury has passed every challenge thrown his way but to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 he will need to take the titles held by the Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk.

The Ukrainian looks set to face Anthony Joshua in a rematch first to see if the Briton can win back his WBF, IBF and WBO crowns, but in Fury’s mind there is no doubt as to who is the greatest heavyweight of this enticing era.

“I have proved time and again that I can never be written off,” he added. “I didn’t have my best performance but I pulled it out of the bag when it needed to be done.

“He did keep getting up but it was that final right hand to the side of the head that finished him.

“I wasn’t hurt. You get hit, you wake up on the floor. I got up and was very conscious the whole time. I was one punch away from knocking him out in the whole fight.

“I am the greatest heavyweight champion of my era, without a doubt. Number one. If you play with fire long enough you will get burned.”

Tyson Fury