The heavyweight division is back.
The heavyweight division is back.
Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury’s fight to a split-decision draw was arguably one of the best fights in years.
Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) controlled the championship fight early but miraculously overcame two knockdowns by Wilder (40-0-1, 39 KOs). Judges scored the draw 115-111 for Wilder, 114-112 for Fury and 113-113.
Wilder has recorded a knockdown in each of his 41 pro fights. He has now defended his WBC belt for the eighth time since 2015.
Fury, who was out for two years, gave a performance for the ages out-landing Wilder 84-71 overall. The action was thrilling and for many extremely unexpected.
Fury was caught by a short right hand in the ninth round dropping him for the third time in his career. Then in the 12th, a Wilder right hand and left hook combination sent the 6-foot-9 Fury down again, hitting his head on the canvas. Again, he managed to stand up and referee Jack Reiss let him continue to fight.
The fallen then risen Fury is now the subject of a barrage of memes lighting up the internet. Before that, Wilder’s conviction to represent descendants of the African Diaspora erupted on Fury and a journalist during a press conference.
At the end of the now historic pairing, it is a certainty that the heavyweight division in America has arrived. Like Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis before it, the United Kingdom and the United States balance each other in combat.
Both Wilder and Fury believe they are the best in the hallowed division. In deference to current multiple time champion Anthony Joshua, the fight cemented the world’s renewed interest in big men prizefighting.
Although a draw of any shape is a dream deferred for both the athletes and the fans, one thing is for certain, a rematch is possible and that is a win for us all.
