Wilder: ‘9 out of 10’ referees would’ve stopped Fury fight

Deontay Wilder believes that “nine out of 10” referees would have waved off his fight with Tyson Fury following the dramatic 12th-round knockdown that led to Saturday night’s controversial finish to their heavyweight title fight.

Fury was winning the fight until he was caught by a heavy right-left combination that sent him crashing to the canvas and seemingly unconscious. Miraculously, Fury managed to get back to his feet in the nick of time to beat referee Jack Reiss’ count, and battled through the remaining two minutes to see out the fight that resulted in a split-decision draw, ensuring Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title and Fury remains the lineal champion.

Fury’s corner were left furious with the decision as they felt the former WBA, IBF and WBO champion had done enough to win the bout and reclaim his world title status, but Wilder believes that given Fury had already been down in the ninth round and looked to be knocked unconscious in the 12th.

“We seen what he could do, what he was able to do, especially with that get-up,” Wilder said. “That still surprises me. I seen this guy’s eyes roll slowly in the back of his head. And many people felt that should’ve been waved off. Nine out of 10 refs would’ve waved that off. I’ve seen many times where they’ve done waved that off. “Look at my brother, Malik Scott, when he fought Dereck Chisora. Malik was on his knees at nine, stood up at 10 and they waved it off immediately. I felt like the count was very slow. I felt like there was a lot of delays in there.

-The Independent