WILDER KEEPS CROWN AFTER DEADLOCK
Los Angeles, Dec. 2: Deontay Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight crown on 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 114112 for Fury and the third 113- 113.
“I think with the two knockdowns I definitely won the fight,” said Wilder afterwards, addding, “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,” he said.
“Let’s give the fans what they want to see. It was a great fight and let’s do it again,” Wilder added.
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,” he said, adding, “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 per cent we’ll do the rematch. We are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet,” Fury said.
Until a sensational final round knockdown from Wilder, Fury appeared to be heading towards what would have been a remarkable upset.
● — AFP
The three judges were divided on the outcome, with one scoring it 115- 111 for Wilder, another 114- 112 for Fury and the third 113113.