Fury vs Wilder 3 LIVE: Result, highlights and latest reaction as Tyson delivers knockout
Tyson Fury brilliantly retained his WBC crown over Deontay Wilder after rising from the canvas twice in an instant classic in Las Vegas
Tyson Fury got up from two fourth-round knockdowns and stopped Deontay Wilder in the 11th round Saturday night, retaining his WBC title in a thrilling conclusion to a superlative heavyweight trilogy.
Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) finished Wilder for the second straight time in their three bouts, but only after a wild back-and-forth evening featuring five combined knockdowns.
"It was a great fight," Fury said. "It was worthy of any trilogy in the history of the sport. He's a top fighter, and he gave me a real (test) tonight."
Wilder was knocked down in the third round and appeared to be on his way out, but he improbably rallied to knock down Fury twice in the final minutes of the fourth.
Wilder (42-2-1) absorbed enormous punishment and appeared to be physically drained for much of the bout, but the veteran champion showed his toughness while still throwing power shots on weary legs.
Fury knocked down Wilder again with a concussive right hand midway through the 10th, but Wilder stunned Fury in the final seconds of the round.
Fury finally finished it in the 11th, sending Wilder face-first to the canvas with a chopping right hand fired from high in the air. Fury climbed onto the ropes in weary celebration before a frenzied crowd of 15,820 at T-Mobile Arena on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.
"Don't ever doubt me when the chips are down," Fury said. "I can always deliver."
Fury then broke into a rendition of "Walking in Memphis," in keeping with his post-fight tradition of serenading his crowds.
Fury vs Wilder 3: Round Five
Wilder is right back in this contest. His right hand is absolutely devastating when it lands and he found it in the last round.
The Bronze Bomber is still looking for the knockout shot but Fury smokes him with a right hook to the face. That was a strong hit. The crowd are cheering for Wilder who continues to throw heavy punches.
Fury connects with some decent body shots before smartly getting into the clinch.
Fury vs Wilder 3: Round Four
Fury has the upper hand in the fight now. Can Wilder regain his legs?
Fury pins Wilder to the ropes but doesn’t connect with a big punch. Wilder swings with right but misses and gets leant on by Fury. He’s using his weight to tire the American.
A three punch combo to the head lands for Fury but Wilder gets off the ropes. Fury comes forward again and Wilder belts him with a right hook. Fury is down!
Wilder presses his advantage and Fury is rocked, he goes down again!
What a fight!
Fury vs Wilder 3: Round Three
Wilder seems like a totally different fighter to the last match. He’s got a gameplan and is sticking to it. Fury lands a flurry of punches to upset Wilder’s rhythm, a left to the chin, another left to the body, back up the head and into the grapple.
Wilder is gambling on his heavy right hand, he lands one on Fury’s chin but it’s not clean. More wild swings from Wilder get the crowd cheering but he repeatedly misses.
Fury gets inside and hooks one on Wilder’s chin. Wilder goes down! Fury has the knockdown!
Wilder gets up and Fury goes on the attack. Another solid punch to the face and Wilder’s leg are jelly, he’s knocked around the ring and gets saved by the bell.
Fury vs Wilder 3: Round Two
Fury steps up to Wilder and throws a three-punch combo landing a nice straight right. Fury is starting to find his range. He leads with a jab and hits Wilder with a nice body shot.
Wilder throws another heavy right hand but comes up short. His next attack does connect but Fury responds in kind. The crowd are enjoying this.
Fury vs Wilder 3: Round One
Wilder starts quickly with jabs into the body before a right hand over the top that Fury evades. Fury throws a quick two-punch combo and grabs hold of Wilder.
The Bronze Bomber throws another heavy right hand but just comes up short. He forces Fury into the corner but Fury gets out and lands a solid right hand to the chin.
Very interesting first round.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The intros
Tyson Fury glances at Deontay Wilder as he steps into the ring, Wilder doesn’t look at the British boxer just yet.
Wilder gives a big wave as his name is read out. Fury looks intense, snarling at Wilder.
The fighters are called to the centre of the ring for the final instructions. Here we go...
Fury vs Wilder 3: The ring walks
Let’s go! The Bronze Bomber makes his way swiftly to the ring wearing a feathery red dressing gown and glitterly red mask and silver mask. He shakes himself loose and looks ready to go.
And here comes Fury.
The Gypsy King’s entrance is a wholly different affair. Fury leads out a band of Spartan warriors to ‘You shook me all night long’ by AC/DC.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The ring walks
We’re just waiting for the fighters. Wilder has apparantly left his dressing room. Here we go.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The ring walks
Deontay Wilder is taking his sweet time to come out. He’s making Fury wait, playing the mind games. Fury looks utterly relaxed in the dressing room.
Fury vs Wilder 3: The ring walks
What ridiculous outfits will the fighters come out wearing tonight?
Deontay Wilder’s bejeweled number famously weighed 40lbs before the last fight, and surely he’ll come out in something lighter this time around.
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