The reason I love sport as much as I do is that it combines physical prowess and natural abilities with the drama and theatre that competition creates as part of its presentation. I very much want to see the best against the best, and I am simply in awe of these “super-humans” and what they can do in their performances at their chosen craft. I think of Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Final, I think of Michael Jordan and the great Chicago Bulls team featured on the Netflix documentary series, Usain Bolt and all his world records… I could go on and on… when it comes to Boxing, I have never quite seen a combination of elite performance and incredible drama more than I did across the trilogy of fights between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder for the heavyweight championship of the world.
I will do my best to summarize quickly how these 3 fights came to be, but it really began way back in 2016, after successfully defending his WBC Heavyweight title, Deontay Wilder was quickly confronted by the then WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring and Lineal Heavyweight title holder Tyson Fury, and it seemed off the back of this we were all set to crown our first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion in boxing since Lennox Lewis almost 25 years ago (we are still waiting in 2023 by the way).
I wont go into it here, I’m sure you know all about it if you’re reading this, but the match didn’t happen then. Fury’s scheduled rematch against former champion Vladimir Klitschko was cancelled as he went into a drink, drugs and deep depression and mental health spiral that nearly claimed his life. And then, one day a video appeared online, as after almost 2 years out of the ring, The Gypsy King declared that he was BACK!
Did we believe him? Probably not. Did we think he could come back from all he had been to and challenge at the top of the heavyweight division again? No not at all. But as always, Fury had an incredible amount of self-belief and confidence. And sure enough, 8 months on from that video clip, Tyson Fury was indeed BACK!
He returned with a win over Sefer Seferi, before fighting again just a couple months later in a win over Francesco Pianeta. Fairly straightforward both, without being spectacular. But Tyson said he came back for a reason, and sure enough his promoter Frank Warren said after the Pianeta fight that Fury vs Wilder was indeed ON! Within a month both Tyson Fury and The Bronze Bomber confirmed that it was official, and contracts had been signed.
So who is the other man in this incredible trilogy? Deontay Wilder is an Olympic medal winning boxer, who in his professional career amassed a total of FORTY wins leading him up to the first fight with Tyson Fury, and all but one of his wins coming by knockout. His one other victory was a unanimous decision win which saw him first claim the WBC belt. And above all else, he was widely regarded as THE hardest puncher in boxing, a true knockout MACHINE!
And so it was finally set for December 1st 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The build up had been ferocious, with both men absolutely convinced they could and would beat the other. But the time for talking was done!
(I am going to do my best now to review and also SCORE the fight as I watch it back. I know a lot of people are under the impression that Tyson won all 3 fights, and that was certainly my opinion watching them at the time… but should that REALLY have been the case? Let’s see…)
Tyson Fury (LC) vs Deontay Wilder (C) for the WBC Heavyweight Championship and the Lineal Heavyweight Championship of The World – 1/12/2018 (Los Angeles, California)
I’m going to include the entrances both men make for each of these fights in my review of each as well, as I think they offer a fascinating insight into both men’s psychology and thinking going in. I think it’s very telling given how each of the three fights unfolded also, when you look back at the way they made their way to the ring… as we will begin with here, Fury entering like he’s on his way to a party whereas Wilder was focused and like a man on a mission, albeit one that… maybe… seemed a little in awe of the occasion…
(I don’t have a video of the Wilder entrance solely, but if you watch the video of the fight below you will see it there.)
Round 1
Feeling out process early on, with Fury nullifying the Wilder offence with some ease. Fury even dropped his gloves with around a minute gone, Wilder missed a big punch, Fury throwing some quick jabs before again putting his hands behind his back. Fury turned out well from a Wilder flurry, but Wilder came back with a left hook. Wilder again trying and missing, Fury reading all the big ones and ending the round with a great array of shots to probably win the round. Fury 10-9.
Round 2
Lots more faking to start the round, Fury slipped a couple of jabs before one of his own, Wilder landed a right hand but Fury hit one back right away, he then puts his arms out wide to try and goad Wilder, and hand to move out the way of a right hand. Wilder missed another as Fury hit one to the body, Fury again makes Wilder miss, but Wilder hits a left hook that landed but seemed to leave Fury unshaken. Great right hand from Wilder almost at the bell to end the round, this was better from Wilder but Fury seemed unaffected still, “Dosser!” he shouts at his opponent as they go back to their corners. Wilder 10-9 (19-19).
Round 3
Good body shot from Fury to begin with, another good shot a little while after, Wilder hits one of his own with the left, Wilder tries a couple as Fury tries some jabs, good body shot from Wilder, Fury’s double faint seems to be being effective here, and soon he gets some good shots to Wilder and nods to his opponent to let him know as much, Wilder misses the big hayemaker but does get the left hook, Fury with a good right hand as it looks like Wilder’s eye could be hurt, Wilder throws a flurry towards the end but Fury dodges them all, round ends with a couple of shots from each man as the bell went, but nothing serious done luckily. Fury attacked more in this round, Wilder’s offence again couldn’t hit the ever-moving target. Fury 10-9 (29-28 Fury).
Round 4
Missed jabs from both, Wilder getting closer with a flurry before Fury comes back with a good shot, more close shots from both, Fury dodges a big Wilder shot, good combo from Fury, jab to the body by Wilder but looked like it did little damage, Wilder is just short with one but hits a good jab after, goof Fury jabs followed by a huge combo of big shots from Wilder that ALL missed, good jabs from both, Fury again dodging a big Wilder shot, big right from Wilder follows on from a few Fury shots. Close round that one, seemed very much a patience game. Wilder tried more but seemed a little erratic, Fury was measured. Fury 10-9 (39-37 Fury).
Round 5
Even start, both exchanging minor shots, Fury seeming to do more of the dodging, good Wilder jab, good Wilder left, Fury comes back with a few good shots himself, Fury makes Wilder miss a flurry before coming back with a combo of his own, Wilder misses a big right then left shots. A fairly uneventful round that seemed to make the crowd a little restless, I’ll just edge this one to Fury, as I felt Wilder missed most of his big shots, Fury boxed clever and well. Fury 10-9 (49-46 Fury).
Round 6
Fury has Wilder on the back foot, as the American seems to be waiting for that big right hand… Fury seems able to evade most of the Wilder offence, good Wilder jab before Fury replies with a good flurry, as Wilder’s face begins to swell a little. Good Wilder jab, another gets through but with little real effect, good shot from Fury to reply, a brief exchange that sums up the fight so far as Fury dodges a Wilder shot before hitting a few quick ones of his own. Nice shots from Fury in reply to attempts by Wilder, miss by Wilder, good couple Wilder jabs, and a brief exchange in the clinch to close out the round. Fury is boxing very clever and looks to be frustrating Wilder, who just can’t find a way through. Fury 10-9 (59-55 Fury).
Round 7
Couple early attempts by Wilder but Fury stays at length, good right from Fury as they get closer, Fury staying light on his feet, Fury gets the better of another exchange with another great right shot, immediately another follows, Wilder tries desperately to respond with big shots but misses multiple attempts, couple more misses from Wilder, one right gets through after, wonderful combo from Fury, great Wilder jab follows after, good left from Wilder, Fury with a good jab as Wilder misses a couple of shots to close out the round. A fun round of boxing, but not so for Wilder. The game plan is clear for him, but he is simply being out-boxed and out-thought so far. Fury 10-9 (69-64 Fury).
Round 8
Good jab early from Tyson, another few misses from Wilder, and again, jabs to the chest from Wilder, Fury rolls another Wilder shot, more misses from Wilder after good Fury footwork, Fury taunts Wilder, good Wilder jab gets through but he can’t follow it up, good Fury shot on the inside, another good combo, big right from Fury but he responds with a right of his own, Wilder blocks a Fury combo, good left hook from Wilder but he can’t follow up with the shots he tries, the one that does get through seemed to not effect Tyson Fury one bit. Wilder is really trying but Fury’s defensive work is mesmerizing. Fury 10-9 (79-73 Fury).
Round 9
Wilder ducks a Fury jab, good Fury shots but Wilder responds and eventually gets Fury down, not quite sure what did it but Wilder gets a knockdown. Wilder responds in typical fashion, marching Fury down and smelling the blood… Fury clinches, Fury gets in a left as Wilder goes for the finish, Fury with a great combo. Wilder giving his all now but Fury dodges the big right, Fury gets a combo in as again Wilder goes for the finish. Fury taunts Wilder, almost as if Wilder tried his best and still Fury stands up, maybe a lesser fighter would be done by now, Wilder gets a good left as Fury holds on to close the round. A much needed big round for Wilder, but Fury seemed to be OK, time will tell in this fight if the storm has passed… Wilder 10-8 (87-83 Fury).
Round 10
Superb combo from Fury, and the follow up also, good jabs from Fury, missed with the right did Fury but well on top early in the 10th as they clinch, both fighters seem to be waiting for the other to come on to them, good shots from Fury, Wilder with good shots of his own, Fury comes forward with more good shots, Wilder seems tired to me, great shot from Fury picking his moment well, Fury bounces on his feet as he still comes forward, good shots from Fury, Wilder throws plenty of shots to close out the round, but little if any seemed to land. Fury mocks Wilder after the bell and the ref steps in. Great display of patient but attacking boxing from Fury. Fury 10-9 (97-92 Fury).
Round 11
Not many shots in the early part of the round, again Wilder tries the big shots but no success, jabs from Fury, good left from Wilder, and a body shot after, Fury comes forward after with a few shots, but not much happening in that round. Fury’s reaction after the round tells you he knows what’s happening and he knows he isn’t far form the win. Wilder 10-9 (106-102 Fury).
Round 12
Body shot from Wilder, good shot from Fury before a right hand followed by a left from the gods from Wilder sends Fury to the canvas. Wilder celebrates but amazingly Fury is up! Wilder gets a huge left, Fury clinches, big shots from Wilder but Fury blocks, even puts his arms behind his back and hits a great left shot, it’s Wilder struggling now after good Fury shots, Wilder looks tired, Fury now marching forward throwing shots, great combo from Fury, Wilder misses a big hayemaker attempt, the bell goes a touch early but it wasn’t even the most shocking moment of one of the most amazing rounds of boxing you will ever see. Naturally it’s a 10-8 for Wilder, but if ever a 10-8 round has felt like a round lost, it was this one for Deontay Wilder. Wilder 10-8 (114-112 Fury).
A simply amazing fight, extraordinary, astonishing, all accurate descriptions of what we all watched. Most normal men would’ve gone down to Wilder with the first knockdown I think, or at least fallen not long after. I am convinced that no other human alive would’ve got up from that knockdown in the 12th. The most amazing moment in the career of The Gypsy King for me, summarizes everything that that man as a boxer is about. And then, he goes and wins the rest of the round. I don’t think in a million years Deontay Wilder expected Tyson Fury to fight like that, and maybe we were all fools thinking that Fury couldn’t do what he did and would simply fall like the rest… I had the fight in favor of Tyson Fury by 114-112, with Wilder winning rounds 2, 9, 11 and 12 but crucially two of those were 10-8s. Still though (for what it’s worth) in my humble opinion, Tyson Fury was the clear winner of this fight.
But of course, the judges had other ideas…
Honestly, the judge that had it 115-111 to Wilder, I cannot believe they watched the same fight I did. Baffling. But a draw was the official end result, both men remain undefeated, and destiny and the entirety of the boxing world would demand they run it back again. In the meantime, both men had very different preparations for the eventual rematch…
Deontay Wilder had a mandatory defense against Dominic Breazeale on the 18th May 2019, and 43 seconds after the fight began, Wilder had another KO on his record.
In November that same year, Wilder once again faced off with Luis Ortiz, who he had faced before in 2018. But this was not the straightforward demolition job that was the Breazeale fight… Indeed maybe this was to be the new normality for Wilder fights, following on from the Tyson Fury draw… Going into round 10, Wilder was BEHIND on ALL 3 judges scorecards (58–56 and 59–55 by 2 judges)… And then came the shot everyone had come to see and expect from The Bronze Bomber…
This win (Wilder’s 10th consecutive as Heavyweight Champion) tied him with Muhammad Ali’s personal record. Wilder spoke of his pride at achieving this after the fight, now only having Joe Louis, Larry Holmes, Wladimir Klitschko and Tommy Burns ahead of him. He would need 1 more win to take him past one of his idols…
Tyson Fury meanwhile was the top star in boxing after his comeback, and subsequent performance against the WBC Champion Wilder. He signed a big contract worth nearly $100Million and had two fights at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The first of which was against Tom Schwarz on the 15th June 2019. It was pretty much an exhibition for Fury, a second round TKO putting a stop to a fight most famous for Fury’s ‘Ali rope-a-dope’ omage…
3 months later, Fury was back in Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, this time against the undefeated Otto Wallin, and if Wilder’s second ‘warm up’ fight was a struggle at times, this one… well…
What you can see there is the aftermath of a cut suffered by Fury from a left hook in Round 3 of the Otto Wallin fight. He also suffered another cut form an accidental head clash in Round 5, and his vision suffered. The ringside doctor took a close look, but after Fury pleas to continue, the doctor obliged. Fury saw out the second half of the fight remarkably well considering, sivurvvring a big scare in the final round after a big left hand that had him troubled, but he soon tied his opponent in the clinch to see it through and the job was done.
And so finally it was time. The rematch.
Almost a year after their first fight, it was announced that Wilder vs Fury 2 would take place on February 22nd 2020, a few weeks later is was revealed that MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas would be the venue (there would also be a clause in the rematch contract that a trilogy fight could be triggered by the loser should they see fit to do so) Wilder remained as confident as ever, believing Fury wouldn’t get back up the next time he hit him… Fury meanwhile made some big changes, as he split from his trainer Ben Davison and instead would now be trained by SugarHill Steward, from the famous Kronk Gym. Fury and his clan all seemed confident, Fury claiming he would be on the attack all fight, his father John (much to the astonishment of many including David Haye) was equally confident of a Fury knockout win…
Going into the fight, Tyson bulked up and would weigh in 17 pounds heavier than he was for their first fight, Wilder too would be heavier, and at 16 & 1/2 stone Wilder would be the heaviest of his career.
And so time for the fight itself then… and as I said before, the entrances told me a lot. Compare Fury’s, as relaxed and seemingly care-free as could be…
Wilder meanwhile wearing THAT suit… and I’m not even going to dignify Wilder’s ridiculous comments about the outfit after the fight with any more words than I have given them here…
Let’s get cracking then… with one of the most memorable sporting performances a Brit has ever produced…
Tyson Fury (LC) vs Deontay Wilder (C) for the WBC Heavyweight Championship, the Ring Magazine Championship and the Lineal Heavyweight Championship of The World – 22/2/2019 (Paradise, Nevada)
Round 1
Fury took the centre of the ring almost immediately, and was certainly the aggressor, despite Wilder dodging a right hand early. Wilder responds well, but Fury hit a good combo after that was though blocked, brilliant array of shots from Fury troubled Wilder, good left from Fury, Wilder cant get through as Fury hits a good jab, and then almost loses his footing as he goes for the attack and it gets messy for a moment, but a good left after steadies things as the round closes out with a good Fury combo. Great round from Tyson. Fury 10-9.
Round 2
Neither seeming to being able to get through early, Fury hits a good jab, but Wilder hits the big right after… but not quite getting it all… Wilder looking to be more aggressive this time as Fury slips the right, missed right by Wilder, big left jab from Fury, Wilder with the right but again Fury slips, Wilder with a good jab, good left from Tyson, scrappy exchange that ends with a right from Fury that left Wilder wanting to hold after, bug right from Wilder but Fury took it well, and big shots right on the bell from Fury as the round ends, the ref has to pull them away from one another. A better round from Wilder, but still Fury’s for me as he landed more of the big shots. Wilder already looks to be second best, he may well need his big haymaker special to win this one. Fury 10-9 (20-18 Fury).
Round 3
Good left early from Fury, HUGE right from Fury as again Wilder needs to hold on, Fury slips as Wilder looks for the big one, great Fury right again, better from Wilder but still a miss, Wilder looks beat up with swelling on his lip, another big shit from Fury, a big right misses from Fury JUST, another good Fury jab, more holding, Wilder seems desperate here, HUGE combo from Fury has WILDER DOWN… Wilder gets the standing count, Fury goes for the finish, again Wilder goes down but the ref calls is a slip… Wilder is well and truly saved by the bell. An incredible round, Fury is putting on a masterclass here. Wilder looks out of sorts, the HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION looks lost! Fury 10-8 (30-26 Fury).
Round 4
Fury with big shots early, ref calls for them to keep it clean, Wilder JUST dodges some Fury shots, Wilder is caught near the back of the head and slips down again, more bug attempts by Fury, Wilder looks terrified, more big Fury shots, Wilder tries the big shot but Fury easily blocks it, good jab from Wilder, Fury again comes forward, more holding, better defensive work from Wilder, more holding, Wilder looks tired, good Wilder shot but he’s on the back foot right away after good Fury shot, 2 missed big Wilder shots. Not a fun round but a round where Fury just bided his time, and Wilder looked desperate more and more with each shot. Fury needs to play the long game and he could coast to a win here and stop the desperate champion. Fury 10-9 (40-35 Fury).
Round 5
HUGE SHOTS from Fury right at the start, Wilder holds after and tries and complains to the ref mid hold, left hook from Fury, good Fury rights again, Wilder looks exhausted and so dishevelled, and just as I type that, another knockdown for Fury, Wilder holds, Wilder stumbles again as he’s caught on the rebound after missing a big shot, the ropes keeping Wilder up somehow, Fury couldn’t be more on top if he tried here… Fury has him against the ropes here, uppercut, the ref takes a point from Fury, I really don’t think it will matter… Fury goes for the big right, Wilder holds on to close the round, but the champion isn’t trying to win this fight now, he’s fighting to survive. An odd round with the point off and the possible knockdown, but Fury’s round surely… or more definitely not a round for Deontay Wilder. Fury 10-8 (49-43 Fury).
Round 6
Big shots from Fury again at the start, he has Wilder again against the ropes looking to pick him off, good Fury body shot, more huge Fury shots, more holding but it’s out of survival for Wilder, another jab from Fury, good left body shot, good Fury right, this is truly astonishing to watch Wilder be in this state, Fury dodges a Wilder shot, just dodges big Fury shot, Tyson is just picking his moments now, the left ear of Wilder is pouring with blood. Another one for Fury, a matter of time surely now. Fury 10-9 (59-52 Fury).
Round 7
David Haye ( a well known critic of Tyson Fury down the years) said after the 6th round that he was “witnessing greatness” here. He wasn’t wrong. Big left from Fury to start the round, Wilder is backing off all the time, good jab as Fury chases him down, another good jab, great shot from Fury and the holding immediately after probably rescued Wilder there, Wilder tries to come back but it was no trouble for Fury, Fury dodges the big Wilder right with ease, Wilder is trapped by Fury in the far corner as Tyson unleashes a series of shots, and with about 1.19 still left of the round… the towel goes into the ring from the Deontay Wilder corner and the fight is stopped. Wilder can say whatever he wants about this and complain all he likes, his team and the people in his corner, by throwing that towel in, may have just saved that man’s boxing career, and his LIFE!
But to the victor goes the spoils, and this night belonged to The Gypsy King. A quite incredible, unbelievable, MASTERCLASS from the Lineal, new Ring Magazine and NEW WBC Heavyweight Champion of The World!
A lot of what happened after this fight, or more what DIDN’T happen, was very much out of everyone’s hands. As much as Anthony Joshua boxed infront of a smaller and very minimal crowd, I don’t think either Fury or Wilder would’ve been willing to do that. I will talk more about this at the end of the blog, as on Saturday evening we may move a step closer to getting all that we want, but after Fury had convincingly and OFFICIALLY (this time beaten Deontay Wilder, there were all the calls to finally unify the heavyweight division once again. Anthony Joshua has regained his belts, avenging his loss to Andy Ruiz, and so now we had a chance to have an Undisputed Heavyweight fight, between two British fighters, it was RIGHT THERE… but Deontay Wilder (among other factors) had other ideas…
Of course, their was a rematch clause for the Fury-Wilder 2 fight, and (although it was disputed by Team Fury that the clause had expired, as they negotiated for a unification fight with Joshua… an abirritation put an end to those talks…) Deontay chose to invoke it. The date of the fight went from July 18th 2020, to then in OCTOBER Fury saying it was off, then in was December 2020… then it was July 24th 2021… but then FINALLY it was set for October of 2021. Almost 2 years after they last fought, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder would complete their trilogy.
Wilder seemed totally non-interested in trying to actively promote this fight, sticking to his his common demeanour since the second fight of focus and near-silence. Tyson of course tried to do his bit/// Wilder, when he did speak, seemed intent on spewing his bizarre claims that Fury had cheated in their previous fights… Tyson exclaimed that he didn’t want to hurt Wilder, just to win the fight. He added that he knows that Wilder doesn’t really think he (Tyson) cheated, and deep down he knows he lost the rematch and that he was going to lose again.
And so… on to the T-Mobile Arena we went, to finally settle this once and for all!
This… was one of the best Boxing matches I have seen in my entire life.
Tyson Fury (C) vs Deontay Wilder for the WBC Heavyweight Championship, the Ring Magazine Championship and the Lineal Heavyweight Championship of The World – 9/10/2021 (Paradise, Nevada)
Round 1
Body jabs by Wilder to start but falls short, big combo by Wilder but Fury evades, more body attempts by Deontay and he then tries for the right, combo by Fury, good shot by Wilder, he tries for the big right again but Fury JUST evades it, good body shot by Wilder, he then had Tyson in the corner, but little damage, Fury tries a combo but it’s blocked, BIG right by Fury at the end of the round. Quite possibly the best of the 19 full rounds Deontay Wilder has ever boxed against Tyson Fury up to this point, he certainly threw more but little of those landed, for me Fury’s big shot at the end wasn’t quite enough to take the round. Fun start to the fight, the Wilder game plan is clear so far, Can Fury defend enough to allow him time to attack when needed? Wilder 10-9.
Round 2
Tyson goes on the attack with the counter and tries a heavy flurry, fight starts to get a little scrappy now, good body shot by Fury, Wilder goes on the attack but just short, Fury comes forward with a combo but the holding after means it goes nowhere, Wilder told by the ref for holding, exchange of big rights, exchange again in the clinch, lots more holding means neither can hit too many big shots, shots form both again on the inside as the bell rings. Close round with neither man really unleashing to their maximum, but a fun round to watch. Feels like either man could hit a big shot at any time here. Fury 10-9 (19-19).
Round 3
Feints from both men until they start going for it, Fury hits a good shot that makes Wilder step back a touch, another good Fury shot as he gets the better of the timing, ref gives Fury a talking to about his holding, big shots from Fury as Wilder tries the big one, but he does land after although Fury stepped back as he did so hence the effectiveness was little, Wilder is chasing Fury down here with a tonne of big shots, although not many have landed but the crowd rise to it, Fury with a good combo of shots, and then follows with a right and DOWN GOES WILDER! WOW! Just as Wilder was getting on top, great Fury combo as Wilder holds on to the bell. WHAT A ROUND OF HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING! Fury 10-8 (29-27 Fury).
Round 4
Combo by Fury, he’s on the attack early here, Wilder tries but to nothing again, Wilder looks so tired here, flurry of punches by Tyson, swing and a miss by Wilder, Wilder hits a huge shot and follows up after and DOWN GOES FURY!!! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TURN OF EVENTS! Fury is back up but walked onto that one… more shots by Wilder after, big right just misses, Fury comes back with one but FURY IS DOWNED AGAIN! WHERE ON EARTH HAS WILDER FOUND THIS FROM?! HE WAS OUT OF IT… THE BELL RINGS AND AMAZINGLY, WILDER HAS A 10-7 ROUND! Wilder 10-7 (37-36 Wilder).
Round 5
Wilder goes for the big one almost immediately, Fury with a good jab, exchange and a clinch, BIG Fury shot with the right, but Wilder holds, both men get shots in during the clinch, Fury jab, Wilder falls short with the big right, but after hits some good shots, he had Fury wibble din the corner, but he’s looking tired after putting so much into the shots, Fury beats him to a punch as Wilde tries from deep, good Fury body shots, Wilder tries again btu Fury holds on, Wilder looked zapped from the previous round there, Fury takes the round, still could easily go either way. Fury 10-9 (46-46).
Round 6
Fur goes forward right away, and is the one going forward now in this round, Wilder combo, but Fury pushes him back, more holding on from both men, Fury is turning this into a dog fight with the leaning on that will zap the energy from Wilder, both men land big shots, after another clinch… Fury with a great combo, Wilder hits shots, Fury responds in kind with a big right, Wilder goes down but NOT a knockdown, Fury attacks going forward but Wilder’s counter attacking seems better here, Wilder misses a wild right. Fury was on top in this round, Wilder looks desperate. Fury 10-9 (56-55 Fury).
Round 7
Good shots from Fury, more holding and then a good Fury shot coming out of it, good combo again pushing Wilder back, Wilder misses again with the big right, crowd are unhappy with all the holding, and a banger of a shot from Fury as Wilder holds on, he looks done does Wilder… Fury with shots on the inside, Fury counters great to a big Wilder shot, good Wilder combo who is giving it his all here, Fury steadies and hits good shots culminating in a big right hand that has Wilder in big trouble, maybe only the ropes saving him as he bounces back into another clinch, big shots fall on Wilder from the champion, Wilder is hanging on for dear life, Fury is well on top as the round closes, it’s his fight to lose here. Fury 10-9 (66-64 Fury).
Round 8
Fury on the front foot as the round begins, holding and then a big Fury shot, Wilder under big pressure here again… Good combo from Wilder but he can’t do much with it, Fury with a good right as Wilder moves away, great follow up by Tyson as he charges Wilder down again, Wilder’s gameplan is clear but he can’t seem to get started against the relentless Fury pressure, and as I type that Fury again goes at Wilder with a combo and a big right that seems to stagger Wilder, he has no choice but to clinch and hold, Wilder looks desperate with his punch attempts here, good couple of Wilder shots as he shows amazing heart here. But Fury needs to box clever and the fight is his. Wilder’s mouth is bleeding as it’s only his will power that is keeping this fight going at this stage. Fury 10-9 (76-73 Fury).
Round 9
The doctor had a look at Wilder before the round got going, good Wilder body shot, Fury again beats Wilder to the punch, Fury peppering Wilder now with shots, Wilder fights back well, good jabs from Fury, another Wilder miss, Fury again charging Wilder down and unleashes a big flurry, Wilder looks… FUCKED…, Fury with a great shot whilst in the clinch, Fury is winning this fight on timing and getting the better of the clinches, good Fury counter punch, Wilder is really taking some punishment now, good combo from Fury with a big right in, Wilder with an uppercut towards the end of a wonderful round of boxing. Fury 10-9 (86-82 Fury).
Round 10
Fury chases Wilder down again, big flurry from Fury, Wilder holds on just in time, Fury is out-powering Wilder hugely here, big right from Fury, Wilder trying and trying but cannot get through, Fury with good body shots in the clinch on the inside again, a THUNDERBOLT of a right hand from Fury sends Wilder down! Wilder looks disconsolate and almost resigned to the inevitable here, the fight somehow goes on after the ref checks Wilder, Fury goes forward again, Wilder tries to fight back but Fury is totally unaffected, Wilder throwing shots but Fury hits an uppercut and somehow Wilder is still upright, Fury looks to end it but Wilder comes back with some GREAT shots of his own here! The bell sounds at just the wrong time, Wilder in that last 10 seconds or so may have just used his final bit of energy. One thing that can’t be argued is that Wilder has the heart of a warrior, but this is surely going to be Fury’s night again. Fury 10-8 (96-90 Fury).
Round 11
The doctor again checks on Wilder before the round can get underway, given the controversy from his standpoint of the second fight, I would think he be determined to go out on his shield here… Fury with a couple of jabs before a clinch, big uppercut from Fury, Fury again goes forward and does land a big one, the ropes I think again have saved Wilder, it’s all Fury here as lands a huge uppercut as he pushed Wilder back against the ropes, more rights from Fury as Wilder clings on for dear life, a big uppercut for Fury and then he hits a left to create a bit of space, and then BOOM… A MASSIVE RIGHT HAND SENDS WILDER TUMBLING TO THE CANVAS!!! And with around 1:53 left of the round, the ref calls it. Mercifully the fight is stopped.
MY WORD… WHAT A FIGHT! You cannot believe the roller-coaster that we all just witnessed. Wilder was a great champion, but Fury showed that there are levels to this. Both men gave it their all, but there is no doubt now, Fury has won this trilogy. NO discredit at all in defeat here for Wilder, the biggest of hearts and he showed the full power of his big weapon… but The Gypsy King proved he is just that, quite simply, he is the greatest.
The one shame is that Deontay Wilder didn’t seem so gracious in defeat. But I can give that a pass, just imagine when you give it your all, and somebody takes away your entire life’s work, simply by being even better than your absolute best. But do not let that or anything else take away from this fight, or the first two. This was a boxing trilogy, a sporting rivalry like no other. Two of the very best, for the biggest of prizes, doing it at the highest of levels. What an honour and a pleasure it was to watch all 3 of these fights at the time, and what a joy it was to revisit them here now.
As I add the finishing touches to this blog, it is in fact the day of a huge card of boxing that may begin the course for what us boxing fans have dreamed of for what seems like a lifetime… Later tonight, both former heavyweight champions Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua will appear on the same card, and barring a shock upset in either man’s fight, they look to be on course to face one another next year… Already signed and sealed is the long-awaited fight for all the marbles of the Heavyweight division, with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk set for their UNDISPUTED title fight as well in early 2024. Lets hope that all 4 men do what they need to, and we end up seeing all the combinations we have yet to witness, lets get those two fights on, lets get AJ vs Fury, Usyk vs Wilder, and lets get this Heavyweight division worked out so we can all sit back and definitively say who THE man is.
Boxing is an incredible sport full of champions and warriors. We seem to be oh so close now to once again crowning our King.
Josh.