Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury fought to a split-decision draw on Saturday night here in Los Angeles, with the Alabaman retaining his WBC heavyweight title for an eighth time after knocking down his British challenger twice.
But it was a dramatic contest, and a bewildering performance from the self-proclaimed Gypsy King, whose movement and footwork – slipping and sliding – allowed him to win most of the rounds. But when Wilder landed, he was dangerous, flooring Fury in the ninth and 12th rounds.
Fury did well to recover from the second knockdown as Jack Reiss counted him. Somehow, Fury got back to his feet and even had an exhausted Wilder in trouble.
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.
Your correspondent had the contest by three rounds to Fury, who comprehensively outboxed Wilder to show that he is the most skilled heavyweight on the planet, and a showman.
Promoter Frank Warren told The Telegraph afterwards that he would press the WBC organisation “for a rematch which we want in the UK”.
“It’s got to happen,” Warren added.
Both men remain unbeaten, Wilder 40-1, Fury 27-1. Not a bad tune-up fight for Fury at the top level after 30 months in the wilderness, and two easy comeback fights.
See video below…
https://twitter.com/iimattyiceii/status/1069115428926943232?s=19
https://twitter.com/RyanEvans87/status/1069161603973726208?s=19