Floyd Mayweather and Lennox Lewis lead criticism of judges as Tyson Fury denied win over Deontay Wilder

The former world champions had Fury as a clear winner of the American in Los Angeles

Boxing legends Lennox Lewis and Floyd Mayweather have led the criticism of the judges who denied Tyson Fury what would have been a historic victory over Deontay Wilder in Los Angeles.

Judge Robert Tapper scored the fight 114-112 for Fury, while Alejandro Rochin favored Wilder 115-111. Judge Phil Edwards, the only British judge, scored it a 113-113 draw.

Wilder knocked Fury to the canvas twice but was otherwise bettered by the self-styled 'Gypsy King' with most observers chalking this bout up as a Fury win.

Floyd Mayweather, who won 50 fights out of 50 in a remarkable career, told broadcasters after five rounds that he had Fury winning every single one but Rochin, the judge whose scores secured Wilder the draw, almost inexplicably handed the American four of the first five.

Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport's fight coverage, another former world champion Lennox Lewis echoed the shock at the judging.

"They need to get some good judges, these judges were terrible," he said.

"It happened to me and I knew it was going to happen to him. Everybody could see who won. Boxing definitely won and Tyson Fury won the fight to me.

"But that's why you've got to go in and try and knock the other person out, especially if you're not on home soil. You've got to make your fists be the judges."

He then tweeted that the judging took him back to his first fight with Evander Holyfield, showing just how tough it is for a British boxer to win in America.

Fury labelled the judging 'sick' in his post-fight press conference but the Brit stayed chipper.

He would later lead a bizarre rendition of American Pie in the press room as both fighters appeared to confirm a rematch next year.

Former two-weight world champion Andre Ward wrote on Twitter: "A draw, I understand (even tho I feel Fury won by a 2 or 3 rds).

"With 2 knockdowns & round here or there for Wilder and you have a draw in some people's eyes. But 115-111 for Wilder is terrible, just terrible !! That's what's wrong with boxing. Fury's stock went up !!!!!"

Trainer Dave Coldwell tweeted: "I gave Wilder two 10-8s and one other round. That's it. Fury was brilliant tonight and the only man that looked like a winner."

Manny Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight weight classes, added on the social networking site: "Respect to Fury for sticking to his game plan and to Wilder for closing the gap with two huge knockdowns! Can't wait to see the rematch."

Los Angeles Lakers basketball star LeBron James wrote: "Man that was the funniest/craziest fight I've ever seen in my life."

BT Sport Box Office exclusively showed Wilder v Fury and will show Warrington vs Frampton on December 22, find out more at www.bt.com/sportboxoffice