On this day in 2018: Tyson Fury denied as Deontay Wilder title fight is drawn

Fury and Wilder clashed in Los Angeles on December 1, 2018.

Pa Sport Staff
Thursday 01 December 2022 01:00 EST
Tyson Fury (right) was first knocked down in the ninth round at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (Lionel Hahn/PA)
Tyson Fury (right) was first knocked down in the ninth round at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (Lionel Hahn/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tyson Fury was denied one of the greatest comebacks in history four years ago when his WBC heavyweight title fight against Deontay Wilder was scored a draw.

A December 1 affair that was expected to be cagey, instead produced 12 thrilling rounds that made a rematch inevitable even before the scores were announced.

Fury was first knocked down in the ninth round at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and again in the 12th, when he appeared out cold, but he returned to his feet and recovered enough to survive to the final bell.

Fury out-boxed Wilder but the knockdowns cost him, with the fight scored 115-111, 112-114 and 113-113, meaning the American retained his title.

Fury, who had admitted to taking cocaine, becoming suicidal and ballooning to 27 stone in the three years since defeating Wladimir Klitschko, said: “We are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.

“We’re on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight. I’m being a total professional here. I went to Germany to fight Klitschko and I went to America to fight Deontay Wilder. God bless America. The ‘Gypsy King’ has returned.

“I hope I did you all proud after nearly three years out of the ring. I was never going to be knocked out. I showed good heart to get up. I came here and I fought my heart out.”

Fury and Wilder’s rematch took place in February 2020, with the British fighter scoring a decisive victory, stopping his opponent in the seventh round.

They fought for a third time in October 2021, and this time both men hit the canvas but Fury came out on top again with an 11th-round knockdown.

Fury remains unbeaten in his professional career and holds the WBC and The Ring magazine heavyweight titles.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in