Tyson Fury is a heavyweight champion of the world again after handing Deontay Wilder his first-ever professional defeat. The Gypsy King was an underdog coming into this clash against the Bronze Bomber, with the WBC title at stake. It was a chance at redemption after a controversial draw first time around.
This fight had massive ramifications for both men. Neither of them had ever lost before and were looking at taking a step forward towards being the unified heavyweight champion. Much of the talk coming into this was about Fury changing camps on seven weeks’ notice and Wilder putting on mass.
In the end, the talk didn’t matter because Fury put on a sublime performance to blow Wilder away. It’s a sensational victory made all the sweeter by the fact that most bookmakers had him as an underdog. The Gypsy King is back. Check out the highlights below.
WILDER IS DOWN AGAIN 😳
Stream #WilderFury2 on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/T5DcIJNxFd pic.twitter.com/Y5UyGDAwbc
— ESPN (@espn) February 23, 2020
Dominant
This fight started cagey with Fury building up a tentative lead. However, it all escalated in the third round when the Brit knocked Wilder down with a left hook-right hand combo. Wilder managed to beat the count but was clearly shook by the knockdown. Then Fury dropped him for the second time in the fifth, putting him in real trouble.
However, this knockdown was negated when the referee docked a point from Fury for holding Wilder’s neck. No matter though because the end was inevitable. The seventh-round came with Wilder in big trouble. Fury backed him up against the cage and put all kinds of pressure on him before referee Kenny Bayless finally brought an end to it. However, Wilder’s corner was even about to throw in the towel.
Savage
This is an incredible redemption story for Fury who was suicidal and weighed over 400lbs just two years ago. However, he’s turned his life around to become a champion again and looks like by far the most skilled heavyweight in the world again.
Anthony Joshua will be in his sights but Wilder has a rematch clause inserted in his contract. So it’s very likely that we’ll get a trilogy fight even if there isn’t much appetite for it right now. Wilder was totally dominated by Fury and only landed one proper right hand. Anthony Joshua definitely won’t be excited about taking on Fury though.
🎶And a song to send everyone home. 🎶
The King has conquered the American Heavyweight landscape.
What's next? #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/Phn0b38TlF
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 23, 2020
Starpower
There’s no doubt that Fury is a star. He provided several crazy moments on the night in Las Vegas. As well as the knockout, he licked Wilder’s blood off his neck. That’s just madness. Then as you can also see above, he sang Don McClean’s American Pie with the crowd afterward. His charisma is out of this world.
As for Wilder, his rise has been punctured by this loss. Boxing is a cruel sport. It’s very difficult to get back to the top after a single loss unlike with MMA where it’s harder to dodge opponents. He may get the rematch again against Fury. However, both fights have seen him outboxed. Fury is right, a boxer will usually beat a power puncher.
