Let’s take a look back at one of the greatest heavyweight bouts of all time.
Where did it all begin?
The opening month of January 2016 saw controversy arise between the two fighters. Deontay Wilder was victorious over Artur Spzilka, and Fury entered the ring following the fight to confront his future opponent.
The first clash came on the cards two years later. Following Wilder’s court case against Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury’s loss of his boxing license due to substance issues, the fight was finally announced for December 2018.
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury I
Saturday, 1 December 2018, saw the two competitors battle it out for the first time in Los Angeles.
With a crowd of almost 18,000 fans in the world-renowned Staples Centre, Deontay Wilder had the WBC heavyweight title on the line. A belt previously held by the Englishman facing him.
This was the return to boxing from Tyson after 31 months off due to mental illness.
27-0-0 (19 KO’s) was the record of the 30-year old at the time with Wilder holding a dominant 40-0-0 (39 KO’s) fighting record.
Prior to the first fight, Wilder came in at 212.5lbs with Fury at 256.5lbs.
The Bronze Bomber came out swinging as the bell sounded and showed he was there to win, with all judges scoring the opener to Wilder. However, it was Fury who was dancing as the round came to a close with a big shot, which made the American stumble.
Rounds two and three worked in the Gypsy King’s favour. Numerous taunts later and keeping the swinging right of Deontay Wilder at distance saw Fury’s name winning on the scorecards.
Tyson Fury also dominated in the following two rounds, although Wilder began to show his killer instinct in the ring.
More taunting came from the visitor as Wilder was struggling to knock him. The strong counter-punching skills of the Briton paid off in the middle rounds.
Round nine brought the drama as Fury hit the deck. The American’s huge right hand connected and dropped the Gypsy King to the floor. Wilder attempted to finish him off but failed to do so, and this came back to bite him.
10 and 11 showed fatigue from both, but Fury could out-box a strong-chinned Deontay Wilder.
Many fans have labelled the 12th round of this fight as the greatest heavyweight three minutes of all time.
A spirited right-left combination from the Bronze Bomber put Fury on the canvas, with fans believing he was down and out. However, just before the count of 10, the Brit rose to his feet.
Wilder, sensing the end was near, put his all into knocking his competitor out. As the bell rang, Tyson Fury ran to the ropes with his arms lifted, while Wilder looked defeated.
One of the greatest heavyweight fights ended with disappointment for fans as a split-decision draw was the confirmed result. Deontay Wilder had retained his title.
The three judges all went separate ways – Alejandro Rochin scoring it 115-111 in Wilder’s favour, Robert Topper marking it 114-110 to Fury, and Phil Edwards giving 113 to each fighter.
Both boxers expressed their belief that they were victorious and were ready for a re-match.
“I think with the two knockdowns I definitely won the fight. We poured our hearts out tonight, do you know what I mean? We both are warriors, we both went head-to-head but with those two drops I feel like I won.”
Deontay Wilder
“Listen, we are on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight and I believe every man in here thought I won that fight tonight but I am showing total professionalism here, I’m a true champion.”
Tyson Fury
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury II
The all-important re-match came two years later as Fury went back to the USA for the WBC heavyweight title.
Las Vegas hosted this one in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, February 22, 2020, in a boxing fight that proved to be a true masterclass from one of the two.
Tyson Fury won two fights in the two years between them, defeating Tom Schwarz and Otto Walin along the way. His record now is 29-0-1 (21 KOs).
The Bronze Bomber had also triumphed twice against Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz before the re-match making his record 42-0-1 (41 KO’s).
Deontay Wilder came in at 231lbs, whilst Fury weighed in at 273lbs of “pure British beef” in his words. Both fighters significantly increasing in weight since 2018.
An eccentric ring walk came from Wilder in the build-up with an extravagant outfit of armour and mask. He wore this for 15 minutes prior to the fight, which he went on to blame for early fatigue.
The opening round was dominant from the visiting fighter. Contrary to the first fight, Fury took control of the centre and put Wilder on the back foot.
A quiet round two separated the third round, which saw the Gypsy King take the upper-hand. Wilder’s clinching to buy time didn’t pay off, as he hit the canvas with 20 seconds to go.
Fury found his opponent off balance as he swung for him and managed to connect with the back of his head, which put Deontay Wilder on the floor.
Round three saw Wilder hit the ground again as he stumbled forward in an attempt to clinch on. This was not marked as a knockdown.
The American’s shaky legs were on display in the following rounds. A loss of balance caused him to fall in round four, and a left-handed body shot dropped him again in the fifth round.
A lack of technical ability as time went on allowed Tyson Fury to truly dominate.
With 1:15 remaining in round seven, Deontay Wilder’s corner threw in the towel as their fighter was exploited against the ropes, indicating they were done with the fight.
This marked the new WBC heavyweight champion of the world in Tyson Fury as he triumphed by way of technical knockout.
59-52, 58-53, and 59-52 were the scores recorded by the judges at the time of the stoppage in the Briton’s favour.
“I told everybody with a pair of ears that the Gypsy King would return to the throne. Everybody wrote me off. I’m a destroyer.”
Tyson Fury
Contractual agreements meant Deontay Wilder had 30 days to trigger the call for a third fight.
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury III: Once and For All
Saturday, October 9, 2021, marked the third and final fight. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosted the heavyweight title fight, which many have labelled as the greatest heavyweight battle boxing has ever witnessed.
This was the first time both fighters had returned to the ring since the re-match. Both fighters tactically chose to up their weights, with Fury weighing 4lbs heavier and Wilder controversially increasing by 7lbs.
Round one was a thriller. Deontay Wilder began with energy aiming to put work into Fury’s body with a jab that hadn’t been seen from the American in the first two fights.
A quiet start from Tyson allowed his competitor to take the front foot.
However, round two brought the heat when Fury came out swinging. Both fighters connected big shots.
Deontay attempting the right hook on numerous occasions didn’t pay off for him when the accuracy of Fury put the former champion on his back. Wilder was saved by the bell in round three.
The Bronze Bomber succeeded in round four when his fierce right put Fury on the canvas twice.
Round five was an excellent showcase of skill from both. Wilder attempted to finish it early, but the strong counter wobbled the American as he started to show signs of fatigue.
Both competitors beginning to tire worked out for the Briton as he aimed for the body of the forceful-hitting Wilder.
The closing moments of round seven saw a devastating right hook from the visitor.
Rounds eight and nine displayed the winner of the fight. Severe bleeding from the home fighter’s mouth and drunken-like movements allowed Fury to prosper.
Fury outworked Wilder in round 10, tiring the American man more than ever before, hitting the floor from an off-balance swing. Fury showed his champion-like capability as he fought consistently to knock his opponent out.
Although Deontay showed real heart with some huge counter-punches in the dying embers, it was round 11 that finished him off.
Found in the corner of the ring, the Gypsy King worked to a dazed Wilder’s body and head before hitting him with a right-hander like no other. As the fans erupted in Las Vegas, Wilder could not make it up in time.
This marked a Tyson Fury victory by way of knockout and saw him retain his title.
The Englishman spoke to the press after the fight. Fury explained that when congratulating Wilder, he was told he would not be shown any respect back.
“Sore loser, an idiot – to be a top fighting man you have got to show guts and respect and he couldn’t do that tonight.”
Tyson Fury
Many fans expressed that Wilder had made a huge mistake going into the fight at 238lbs. Viewers said this was too heavy for the Bronze Bomber to work optimally.
“I am now the greatest heavyweight champion of my era.”
Tyson Fury
A bitter taste in Wilder’s mouth
Comments in the press from the American amazed many fans.
Deontay Wilder has since expressed his lack of respect now for the Briton. His words to the press have suggested, due to Fury’s gypsy nature, that he cheated throughout the trilogy.
The Bronze Bomber implied his opponent was using substances which helped to better his performances. He also suggested Fury filled his boxing gloves in an illegal manner.
Claiming it was a knock-out in the opening fight, Wilder referred to Jack Reiss (referee) as cheating when on the count of nine onwards by saying it at a slower rate.
Regardless of resentment prior to the trilogy, both boxers showed their quality when it mattered. Tyson Fury proved he was the better fighting man.
