LOS ANGELES: Deontay Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight crown here Saturday after battling to a split decision draw against Britain’s Tyson Fury in a pulsating 12-round battle.
Wilder had Fury on the canvas twice, including a spectacular final round knockdown, but was unable to get the knockout victory he had promised to deliver at the Staples Center.
The three judges were divided on the outcome, with one scoring it 115-111 for Wilder, another 114-112 for Fury and the third 113-113. “I think with the two knockdowns I definitely won the fight,” said Wilder afterwards. “We poured our hearts out tonight. We’re both warriors, but with those two drops I think I won the fight.” Wilder, who remains unbeaten after 41 fights, immediately called for a rematch.
“I would love for it to be my next fight,” Wilder said. “Let’s give the fans what they want to see. It was a great fight and let’s do it again.”
Fury meanwhile insisted he had done enough to win. “We’re on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight,” Fury said.
“That man is a fearsome puncher and I was able to avoid that. The world knows I won the fight.” Fury also said he hopes to arrange a rematch. “One hundred percent we’ll do the rematch,” Fury said.
“We are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.” Until a sensational final round knockdown from Wilder, Fury appeared to be heading towards what would have been a remarkable upset.
The 30-year-old “Gypsy King”, who returned to boxing this year after missing more than two years through depression, drink and drug problems, had boxed cleverly to evade the heavy-hitting threat of Wilder for most of the fight. (AFP)
