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 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Ajagba misses with a wild right and Sanchez clips him with an uppercut. Sanchez misses two big swinging right hooks and weaves away from a potential counter-attacking onslaught.
The crowd are getting a little impatient with this one. There’s not a great deal of action to speak off.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
This isn’t the most thrilling fight of the night. Sanchez is being patient waiting for the opening when Ajagba throws his left jab. For Ajagba’s part he’s reluctant to let fly because of Sanchez’s counter right hook.
That’s exactly what happens and Sanchez lands a clean right shot. Ajagba shakes his head understanding his mistake.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
This has been a very technical fight. Ajagba taking slightly too long to set up his punches and allowing Sanchez to counter from the outside. He lands a solid left hook on Ajagba’s chin followed up with a couple of body blows.
Tyson Fury has hands wrapped for Deontay Wilder fight
Tyson Fury has had his hands wrapped and therefore inspected by Team Wilder.
So predictably the champion had some fun with the opposition.
Also, notably, former world champion Joseph Parker is in Fury’s dressing room to support his friend.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Ajagba starts the third round with a couple of solid wide right hooks. Sanchez responds with a quick combo before Ajagba connects with a very good straight left hand.
This is a better round for Ajagba but Sanchez finishes the round with a good jab to the face. Three close rounds so far.
Tommy Fury reveals update on Jake Paul fight
Tommy Fury insists “things are looking good” over a potential multi-million dollar fight against YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul.
The former Love Island star moved to 7-0 as a professional in his US debut in August with a points win over Anthony Taylor.
It was the 22-year-old’s US debut on the undercard of Paul’s blockbuster fight with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
And after agreeing to terms for a fight with Paul via a video posted on Instagram, Fury provided an update on negotiations from Las Vegas, where he is supporting his brother Tyson Fury against Deontay Wilder.
Tommy Fury reveals update on Jake Paul fight
Fury is in Las Vegas to support his brother Tyson Fury against Deontay Wilder
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Ajagba tries to impose himself on the fight looking for an opening for a straight right behind his jab. Sanchez responds with a quick double-jab followed by and a swinging right that lands on Ajagba’s head.
A short, right hook finds the target for Ajagba towards the end of the round.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
This 10 round bout starts with both fighters undefeated. It starts slowly both men throwing the jab, keeping their distance.
Ajagba steps inside and is met with a rapid one-two, then an uppercut from Sanchez but the Cuban only glances his opponent.
Sanchez lands a right hand over the top and probably edges the round.
Fury vs Wilder 3 undercard: Sanchez vs Ajagba
Last up on the undercard is an exciting bout between Frank ‘The Cuban Flash’ Sanchez and fellow undefeated heavyweight Efe Ajagba of Nigeria with Sanchez’s WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO titles on the line.
Fury vs Wilder 3: Lennox Lewis on the fence
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Tyson Fury is the better boxer and is backing him to win if the fight goes the distance but if it comes down to a knockout, he is going for Wilder.
"I believe that Tyson Fury has a lot more tools and weapons that he can use in his arsenal," he told BBC Sport.
"I think if Deontay went back and learned a couple of tricks he can put to use, he’ll have a good time in there as well. So all around, it is going to be a good fight."
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