Fury vs Wilder 3 LIVE: Result, highlights and latest reaction as Tyson delivers knockout
Tyson Fury brilliantly retained his WBC crown over Deontay Wilder after rising from the canvas twice in an instant classic in Las Vegas
Tyson Fury got up from two fourth-round knockdowns and stopped Deontay Wilder in the 11th round Saturday night, retaining his WBC title in a thrilling conclusion to a superlative heavyweight trilogy.
Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) finished Wilder for the second straight time in their three bouts, but only after a wild back-and-forth evening featuring five combined knockdowns.
"It was a great fight," Fury said. "It was worthy of any trilogy in the history of the sport. He's a top fighter, and he gave me a real (test) tonight."
Wilder was knocked down in the third round and appeared to be on his way out, but he improbably rallied to knock down Fury twice in the final minutes of the fourth.
Wilder (42-2-1) absorbed enormous punishment and appeared to be physically drained for much of the bout, but the veteran champion showed his toughness while still throwing power shots on weary legs.
Fury knocked down Wilder again with a concussive right hand midway through the 10th, but Wilder stunned Fury in the final seconds of the round.
Fury finally finished it in the 11th, sending Wilder face-first to the canvas with a chopping right hand fired from high in the air. Fury climbed onto the ropes in weary celebration before a frenzied crowd of 15,820 at T-Mobile Arena on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.
"Don't ever doubt me when the chips are down," Fury said. "I can always deliver."
Fury then broke into a rendition of "Walking in Memphis," in keeping with his post-fight tradition of serenading his crowds.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The national anthems
The national anthems are sung from inside the ring. The American singer takes it a bit too seriously and the very partisan crowd goes wild. It’s all a bit much for a national anthem.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The main event
‘Sweet Caroline’ plays in the background at the T-Mobile arena as the clock counts down to the main event. Sadly there no British fans in the house to sing along.
The arena is packed now, the celebrities are in, the atmosphere is electric.
There’s been a very decent undercard to build the excitement but now it’s time for the main event.
Fury vs Wilder 3: ‘Nothing to lose, everything to gain'
Deontay Wilder isn’t feeling the pressure of trying to win back his WBC world title against the only man to beat him, Tyson Fury.
He said: "When you know the truth, they say the truth will set you free, I have no pressure, there is nothing to lose, everything to gain. All the pressure is on him.
"Your legacy only dies when the man dies, when the desire and fire in your heart dies, when that dies so does your legacy, and I am well alive.
"We have got a lot of things in line, in order, this is what the world needs to know, there is a lot of things I could put out there, but silence is golden."
Fury vs Wilder 3: ‘I’m a history maker'
There’s only one fight left to go and it’s the big one.
Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3.
Fury recently said he was the only man in the heavyweight group that was still undefeated, but had forgotten the new addition - Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Anthony Joshua a couple of weeks ago.
"I forget Usyk has been a world champion for five minutes," said Fury. "I was talking about the group before, from years gone by, last 10 years, I am the last man standing - still here undefeated, a lone soldier.
"The first two-time heavyweight champion of the world who never lost a fight, a history-maker."
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Frank Sanchez wins with a unanimous decision!
The judges score the bout 97-92, 98-91, 98-91 his way.
He remains undefeated and retains the WBO NABO, and WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Titles.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Sanchez continues with his gameplan, hovering on the outside, evading Ajagba’s right hand and connecting with his counter-punches.
Sanchez steps inside and lands a right hook before retreating. He runs down the clock and lifts his arm in the air. The Cuban thinks he’s won this fight.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Another timid round for Ajagba and his corner tell him sternly. ‘You’ve got to knock him out!’
Just one round to go.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Ajagba has it all to do now. Sanchez has been boxing within himself, picking his moments to unleash. He connects with a sharp uppercut and knocks Ajagba’s head back.
Ajagba’s steps onto the front foot and connects with a combo to the body followed by a left to the side of the head.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Here we go. Ajagba’s corner tell him to go for it and the fighters trade blows at the start of the seventh round. Ajagba probably winning the tussle with nicely worked right hand to the body.
A good uppercut from Sanchez on the counter-punch just tempers Ajagba’s enthusiasm and he follows it up with a belting right hand to the face.
Sanchez follows it up with another right to the chin and Ajagba drops to his knee as Sanchez lands a powerful left hand for a knockdown! That left hook might have been a little late.
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