Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder result costs gamblers a record-high £20m

The split decision - a 33/1 shot ahead of the fight - hit gamblers hard in the pocket

It wasn't just Tyson Fury who was hit hard by his controversial draw with Deontay Wilder as punters across the UK lost millions on the shock result.

Heading into the 12th round following a tactical masterclass Fury appeared to be ahead on all scorecards before a ferocious combination from the American sent him tumbling to the canvas before the judges went on to score it 115-111, 112-114 and 113-113.

The split decision - a 33/1 shot ahead of the fight - hit gamblers in the pocket to the tune of an estimated £20m, an expected record high, with only a fraction of the pre-fight money going on the draw.

It was an instant classic of a fight with a rematch, possibly in the UK, now likely in 2019 after a highly entertaining contest between two unbeaten fighters who ultimately couldn't be separated.

In front of a 17,698-strong attendance, both fighters entertained from the opening bell when they both threw threatening punches and Wilder landed a hurtful right as they briefly fought toe-to-toe.

Demonstrating his confidence with early periods of showboating, Fury often became the more consistent aggressor and while resisting occasional powerful punches he also made the world's most dangerous puncher swing and miss.

The champion began to fall short with jabs, and watched Fury comfortably take a left uppercut as he pursued the knockout while his left eye began to swell.

Fury was gradually building a convincing lead into the fight's second half as he landed with several straight rights, even when Wilder's occasional successes looked the more hurtful.

The final four were always going to be the most threatening when he tired and his reflexes may have waned, and so it gradually proved when after taking a left-right combination, a right hand to the back of the head knocked him to the canvas.

Fury had twice previously recovered from knockdowns to remain undefeated, and this time the 30-year-old fought back and stuck out his tongue in a sign of his self-belief.

Fury dragged himself off the mat to earn a draw (Action Images via Reuters)

Further success in the 10th round when he landed with both lefts and rights and hurt Wilder, 33, again gave him the momentum when it became increasingly clear the champion was running out of time.

He resiliently then retained his title when, despite his exhaustion, a big right sent Fury tumbling and a further left secured so heavy a knockdown his admirable challenge seemed over.

The Briton instead survived as the tired Wilder struggled to force another attack and the stoppage, meaning an immediate rematch will be next.

It was after the unprecedented high of his victory over Klitschko that Fury fell into the darkest period of his life. This performance showed he has convincingly recovered from that, and he may even again prove the best heavyweight in the world.

Additional reporting by PA