The trilogy fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder is finally over. Fury retained his title by knocking out Wilder in the 11th round. And fans were treated to one of the best heavyweight title fights in recent history.
The rollercoaster of a fight began with action. Wilder was able to keep Fury off-balance a bit in the first round with repeated jabs to the body. Fury began to close the distance in the second round. The champion scored the first knockdown of the fight in the third.
Wilder started the fourth round on unsteady legs. But the Bronze Bomber regrouped and scored two knockdowns. Fury endured the onslaught but was in serious trouble when the bell sounded to end the round.
Fury battled back in the fifth round. He used his 40-pound weight advantage to lean on Wilder and wear the smaller man out. While at it, the Gypsy King regularly landed hard right hands to Wilder’s face.
Deontay Wilder showed a champion’s heart. The former WBC titleholder never stopped fighting and always seemed to be one punch away from turning the fight around. But the damage began to accumulate as Wilder continued to fatigue.
A devastating right hand to the side of Wilder’s head sent him crashing to the canvas in the 11th round. Referee Russel Mora waved the fight off without beginning a count.
“It was a tough fight, and he came in really determined,” Fury said moments after improving his professional boxing record to 31-0-1 with 22 knockouts. “I’ve always said I’m the best heavyweight in the world.”
The Future for Tyson Fury
Fury was looking forward to fighting for the undisputed championship against Anthony Joshua before Joshua lost his titles to Oleksandr Usyk. Anthony Joshua exercised his right to a rematch. Fury will likely seek undisputed glory against the winner.
Dillian White is the mandatory challenger to Tyson Fury’s WBC belt and may become the champion’s next opponent. Boxing insiders feel Fury has positioned himself to do anything he wants after proving he is the best heavyweight in the world.
The Future for Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder is now 42-1-1 as a professional. He has 41 knockouts to his credit. Wilder declined to speak with the media and would not shake hands with Fury after the fight.
It is unclear what is next for the former champion’s boxing career. But head trainer Malik Scott says the Bronze Bomber has no intentions of hanging up his gloves anytime soon. Scott points out that Wilder is financially secure and has been fighting for the love of the sport for some time.
“Retirement is not in our plans at all,” Scott explains. “That’s not something we discussed.”