Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder to retain WBC heavyweight boxing title

Fury defeats Wilder with 11th round knockout to retain WBC belt [photo courtesy]

Tyson Fury on Saturday retained his WBC heavyweight boxing crown with a dramatic 11th round knockout of Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Fury went down twice and Wilder went down three times, getting floored the last time with a powerful right hand. The referee promptly waved off the fight.

Fury knocked Wilder down in the third round but the American responded in the fourth, sending the Briton to the canvas twice thanks to his powerful right hand.

October 9, 2021 Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder REUTERS

But Fury ultimately overwhelmed Wilder to remain undefeated.

With the win, Fury (31-0-1) has now taken two of the three meetings between the rivals.

“You know, it was a great fight tonight — it was worthy of any trilogy in this history of the sport,” Fury said post-fight.

“You know, I’m not going to make any excuses; Wilder is a top fighter, he gave me a real run for my money tonight.

“I’ve always said, I’m the best in the world. And he’s the second best.”

In the build-up to Saturday’s fight, Wilder had accused Fury of underhanded tactics in the second fight.

Fury will be eyeing a fight against the winner of the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk rematch, but he might first have to fight Dillian Whyte, who on Oct. 30.

Fury and Wilder fought to a bruising draw in their first fight in Los Angeles in 2018.

Fury then defeated Wilder in February last year via a seventh-round knockout that ended Wilder’s five-year reign as WBC champion.