Fury-Wilder referee insists he did not stall count in LA

The referee who officiated Tyson Fury’s controversial draw with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has dismissed suggestions he gave the challenger a long count.

Fury completed a remarkable recovery from the heaviest of knockdowns when, under American Jack Reiss’ supervision, he was given the chance to fight on.

That Fury concluded last Saturday’s fight on top ultimately justified Reiss’ judgement but the referee has been criticised by his compatriot Wilder, amid wider criticism of the three judges who scored a draw.

To most observers Fury had boxed well enough to win, even amid the two knockdowns he suffered, and an immediate rematch is looking increasingly likely.

Reiss has even suggested the interest surrounding the potential rematch and what was such a thrilling fight is

“best for boxing”. He said: “The fight was so close, the magnitude of the fight – you know, a heavyweight championship fight – I’ve always been taught to count a champion out and I wanted to give him every opportunity. “I took my time – not that I stalled the count like these knuckleheads are saying, just patient – and I went down to make sure what

I was doing was correct, because I want to do what’s best for boxing.

“Look at the controversy over who they thought won, the rematch. There was such a buzz over this. I think it’s best for boxing. If there was earlier, heavy damage and (Fury) had been hurt, I would have waved it off.”