Sports
Tyson Fury Beats Deontay Wilder Via TKO in Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
Isaac Brekken/Associated PressTyson Fury became a world champion once again Saturday, and he did it by outslugging the knockout artist. In one of boxing’s most anticipated rematches in years, Fury defeated Deontay Wilder via seventh-round TKO at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, capturing the WBC world heavyweight title in the process.Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix…
Isaac Brekken/Associated Press
Tyson Fury became a world champion once again Saturday, and he did it by outslugging the knockout artist. In one of boxing's most anticipated rematches in years, Fury defeated Deontay Wilder via seventh-round TKO at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, capturing the WBC world heavyweight title in the process.
Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Mannix reacted to the win:
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
That was a bell-to-bell beating that Tyson Fury put on Deontay Wilder. Two knockdowns. Wilder didn't win a round. Didn't win a minute. What a performance by Tyson Fury.
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 and Wilder's corner to put a stop to the fight. Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) knocked down Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in the third and fifth rounds, and a bloodied, shaky Wilder was unable to fight back in the decisive seventh.
ESPN broadcaster Ian Darke felt Bayless and Wilder's corner did the right thing by stopping the punishment:
Ian Darke @IanDarke
Sizzling performance from Tyson Fury. Dominated and totally outclassed Wilder from start to finish. Corner did the right thing saving their man from taking any more. Compassionate.
For years, Fury clung to his unofficial status as the lineal champion after he was stripped of titles he won against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015. Now, there's no denying his merit.
Bad Left Hook called him the best heavyweight in the world:
Bad Left Hook @badlefthook
I know AJ has three of the four belts and respect to him. But there is now zero real question about the best heavyweight in the game today. It's Tyson Fury. #WilderFury2
It caps an incredible comeback for Fury, who battled drug and mental health issues for a couple of years following the Klitschko fight. The picture of joy, the Gypsy King serenaded the Las Vegas crowd after the win with a rendition of “American Pie,” via Fox Sports PBC:
FOX Sports: PBC @PBConFOX
🎶Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die🎶@Tyson_Fury serenades the crowd after his victory.
Buy #WilderFury2 NOW: https://t.co/auWEj0uOn9 https://t.co/ipz5Q5uhxf
It was another touch of the surreal from Fury, who entered the ring on a throne and singing along to “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. Here's a look, via Fox Sports PBC:
FOX Sports: PBC @PBConFOX
TYSON FURY ENTERS ON A THRONE! 😂😂😂
#WilderFury2 https://t.co/P2PvzNzu8b
This is the first loss of Wilder's career. The 34-year-old American said his legs were “already weak” heading into the fight, per the pay-per-view broadcast. He also said he can't make excuses.
Fury executed his rough-and-tumble fight plan to perfection. The 31-year-old Irish Traveller was on the front foot from the first second of the match, controlling the ring and working a stiff jab. Wilder countered with looping right hands over the top. A few connected, while others missed by just centimeters because of excellent head movement on Fury's part.
Isaac Brekken/Associated Press
The third round saw the action heat up. Fury kept up the pressure on Wilder, working the right hand immediately after the jab. Wilder looked uncomfortable after the power punches, immediately leaning on Fury following the ones that landed flush.
Fury scored a knockdown late in the third with a left followed by a right that landed on Wilder's ear. Here's the highlight, via Fox Sports PBC:
FOX Sports: PBC @PBConFOX
DOWN GOES WILDER! FURY SCORES A KNOCKDOWN IN ROUND 3!
BUY #WilderFury2: https://t.co/auWEj0uOn9 https://t.co/LL2LnXd8xN
The fourth round saw Fury continue to press his advantage. He sneaked in lead lefts that the Bronze Bomber had trouble seeing, and the champion struggled to get his legs under him. It's possible his equilibrium was thrown off because of blood in his left ear, a sign of a possible ruptured eardrum.
Fury scored a second knockdown in the fifth round with a classic combination. He cracked Wilder in the face, and with the Bronze Bomber's guard up, sent him to the canvas with a left hook to a wide-open midsection.
Here's the highlight, via Fox Sports PBC:
FOX Sports: PBC @PBConFOX
HE'S DOWN AGAIN! @Tyson_Fury knocks down Wilder for a SECOND TIME!
#WilderFury2 | Buy: https://t.co/auWEj0uOn9 https://t.co/0j8cJv56bq
The referee deducted a point from Fury in that round because of headlocks, preventing him from getting a two-point advantage. The sixth was another brutal, grinding slugfest, with a battered Wilder unable to do anything to keep Fury off him.
Fury literally got his licks in, as ESPN's Skip Bayless noted:
Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
Fury literally tried to lick some of the blood on Wilder's neck. Continued to attack, lay on Wilder on the ropes. But Wilder hung in pretty well. Lost 10-9.
Since Wilder had a cut lip, a busted ear and unsteady legs, Ring‘s Ryan Songalia felt he shouldn't go out for the seventh:
Ryan Songalia @ryansongalia
This is going to ruin Wilder, he should not be allowed out of the corner for the seventh round #WilderFury2
That turned out to be the right call. Wilder had no answer for his opponent's constant barrage. Fury trapped him in the corner in the seventh, and Wilder's corner and the referee ended the lopsided fight.
Wilder could try to set up a trilogy, but he will need time to recover. Fury, meanwhile, is in command of the heavyweight division. He might try to set up a unification bout down the road with Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles.
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