Briton Tyson Fury became a Champion again, knocking down American undefeated Deontay Wilder in the seventh-round to win the WBC Heavyweight Title in last Vegas early this morning.
In one of boxing’s most anticipated rematches in years, Fury defeated Deontay Wilder via a TKO at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Many thought the powerful Wilder would win by stoppage after he knocked down Fury twice en route to a draw in December 2018, but it was Fury who forced referee Kenny Bayless to call the fight.
Fury knocked down Wilder in the third and fifth rounds, and a bloodied, shaky Wilder was unable to fight back in the decisive seventh.
He dominated throughout the rematch at the MGM Grand arena before Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.
“Deontay Wilder came here tonight, really showed the heart of a champion, I hit him with a clean right hand and he got back up and battled on into round seven – he is a warrior, he will be back, he will be a champion again, but I will say the king has returned to the top of the throne,” said Fury after the bout.
The victory comes 14 months after the Mancunian’s controversial draw with Wilder – when he outboxed the WBC champion only for two knockdowns to deny him the famous green belt.
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Fury vowed to take the fight to Wilder – and he did just that, flooring the champion twice and completely dominating the action.
Fury, dubbed the “Gypsy King”, had entered the arena held aloft on a throne by handlers, a royal robe around his shoulders and a crown on his head as the song Crazy by Patsy Cline played.
Wilder followed a few minutes later, his face hidden behind a glittery mask and a rapper in front of him.
After the fight, which was the first defeat of his professional career, Wilder said: “I make no excuses tonight, I got a lot of complications. I will come back and be stronger the next time around.
“This is what big-time boxing is all about, the best must fight the best. I appreciate all the fans that came out tonight and supported the show.”
Both fighters were guaranteed $5m (£3.85m) for the bout but could make $40m (£30m) or so if the fight performs well on pay-per-view.
Attention has already turned to a potential showdown between Fury and compatriot Anthony Joshua, who holds the three other world title belts.
Source: BBC