Down but not out: Fury fights back from final-round knockdown in epic draw

Tyson Fury said he got up from the canvas after being knocked down in the final round to “represent” mental health sufferers during his epic draw with Deontay Wilder.

The 30-year-old British fighter was a round away from capturing Wilder’s WBC world heavyweight title when his rival floored him with a crushing combination at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

But, in just his third fight following 30 months away from the sport with depression and substance addiction issues, he claimed he should have won the fight and said his display showed vulnerable people that anything was possible.

“I am not a special human being,” he said. “I am a normal man. I wasn’t just down for me and my family, I was repre- senting people with mental health problems around the world. I had to continue and carry on.

“I fought back from thinking about suicide, mental health, depression, anxiety. I wanted more than anything to show the world it can be done. Anything is possible with the right mindset.”

Fury made a point of questioning one judge’s 115-111 award of the contest to Wilder, but said he would not

“scream robbery.”

Wilder added: “I thought I had him out of there. Right hand, followed with a left hook. I saw his eyes roll into the back of his head. I was like ‘ it’s over.’ It was a miracle he got back up.”

After the bout, Fury said: “I had holy hands upon me, I was brought back.”