Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder result: Who won WBC title fight last night?

The pair treated fight fans to 12 enthralling rounds of boxing at the Staples Center

Tyson Fury was denied yet another famous victory after a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder despite a spectacular display of championship boxing in Los Angeles.

Fury, just over three years removed from his famous victory over Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, was 44lbs heavier than his opponent who had only gone the distance once in his 40-fight professional career.

The Briton started the stronger but was forced to backtrack after a fierce left hook from Wilder, who seemed slightly unsteady when his foe landed an overhand right in the closing seconds of the opener.

Wilder was unable to close the range as the fight moved into the second as Fury mixed in confident jabs with occasional mind games, putting his hands behind his back or in the air.

A one-two from Fury seemed to mark up Wilder's left eye in the third and his superior work-rate gave him the edge over the next couple of rounds.

Wilder's much vaunted power was keeping Fury honest, though, and he was closing the distance as the fight moved into the second half.

Fury landed two crunching right hands and used his trademark awkward movement to prove elusive in the seventh as Wilder went swinging wildly.

The 30-year-old seemed to be showing no sign of ring rust in his first significant bout since that night in Dusseldorf.

But Wilder finally found his range and a booming left hook and a glancing right put Fury down in the ninth.

The Briton got up at the count of nine and survived the round as Wilder went in for the kill.

Fury showed his boxing skill (Action Images via Reuters)

Fury shrugged off the knockdown in the 10th and was routinely first to the punch against a Wilder who seemed to be slowing, perhaps fatigued by his efforts in the previous round.

Wilder's body shot appeared to give Fury pause for thought in the penultimate round but the American probably needing a knockout heading into the final three minutes.

He got a stunning knockdown as Wilder's vaunted right landed in the opening minute of the 12th.

Fury climbed off the canvas twice (Action Images via Reuters)

Fury looked to be out for the count but somehow rose from the canvas and then, staggeringly, pushed Wilder back for the rest of the round.

Fury celebrated on the ropes but he was denied on the judges' scorecards, with Wilder given the nod 115-111 on one card, Fury 114-110 on another and the third scoring the fight 113-113.

The knockdown in the 12th therefore proved decisive as Wilder retained his world title after a draw was announced.