With a chant to match, Tyson Fury is back where he belongs.
“There is only one Tyson Fury. One Tyson Fury walking along singing this song walking in a Tyson wonderland.”
Sound familiar?
If not you don’t know much about boxing as this war cry has been devoured voraciously by residents of the United Kingdom. After Saturday’s fight, now portions of America are chanting the same song.
From the outset, Fury stormed America espousing the gospel of self-healing. Through pugilism, Fury confronted his personal demons and gained a legion of Stateside fans based on his audacity for hope through his bipolar disorder.
During press runs in New York and Los Angeles, American Tyson Fury converts were highly visible. Meanwhile, Wilder’s cheering squad was less vocal during these opportunities.
Then Came The Fight
Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) controlled the early rounds and out-landed Wilder 84-71 throughout the entire 12 round affair. Then came two knockdowns by Wilder (40-0-1, 39 KOs) – including an explosive one in round 12 that shocked Wilder and the world.
After surviving a referee’s 10 count, Fury continued his blitzkrieg on a physically damaged Wilder all the way until the end.
“I think with the two knockdowns, I definitely won the fight,” said Wilder, who has recorded a knockdown in each of his 41 pro fights and was defending his WBC belt for the eighth time since 2015.
“We poured our hearts out tonight. We’re both warriors, but with those two drops I think I won the fight.”
Not according to popular opinion. On Tuesday, an emergency conference call was held for Wilder to discuss his thoughts on the fight. A mix of disappointment and anxiousness for a rematch was prevalent for the anti-hero.
“It’s only right to give Tyson Fury a rematch as soon as possible,” said Wilder. “I’m ready when he’s ready.”
Fury held an emergency press conference in L.A. the Sunday after the fight.
“To be honest with you, I’ve never seen a worst decision in my life,” said Fury. “I don’t know what fight that them judges were watching. The guy who gave me it 115-111 he had me losing the first six rounds, I don’t know what he was watching. I think its as bad of a decision as the first Lennox Lewis vs. Holyfield fight.”
Anthony Joshua Who?
Many in America agree as the tide has shifted toward “The Gypsy King”. This event was supposed to solidify Wilder as the best heavyweight on the planet but more doubts linger as to his technical proficiency. The world knows that Deontay Wilder has power but did Fury show that he can be outboxed for 12 rounds?
It’s looking like the number will come in a bit north of 320,000 https://t.co/6BU8RYBWsC
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 5, 2018
There is no doubt that these two will have a rematch. Now the specter of the other heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, is merely a faint lingering presence now. With possible Joshua opponents on the horizon like Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller and Dillian Whyte, the must-see fight of Wilder vs. Joshua has now taken a backseat.
For Wilder, it is yet another steep slope to climb in America’s collective combat consciousness. However, Fury has made a slew of new fans for his heart, brazenness, and for picking his butt off the canvas; whether he beat the 10-count or not.
