Flashback to December 1, 2018 – the 12th round of the WBC Heavyweight Championship fight in Las Vegas. Deontay Wilder was one second away from having the division look very different today.
The American champion had given legitimacy to Tyson Fury’s comeback in the sport by providing a title shot. Many thought that Fury, who had been out of the ring since 2015 and gone through plenty in that time, wouldn’t have what it takes to beat ‘The Bronze Bomber’ – a man who had knocked out every opponent he had faced.
That view was wrong, as Fury outboxed Wilder for many, perhaps all, of the rounds. Even before the final bell there were rumblings of a career-defining performance from the Englishman. That’s never a smart move against Wilder, who is dangerous until the very end.
He caught ‘The Gypsy King with a short right hand, followed by a left hook that landed as his opponent was on his way down. The rest of the story is well known – Fury, despite appearing to be out cold, managed to fight on. The contest was called a draw, but many disagreed and gave it to the Brit.
Speaking to Cigar Talk, Wilder reflected on the punch that could’ve changed it all.
“It was something to see. I know that I didn’t get him full as I always [do], but I got him enough to where I saw his eyes roll into the back of his head. At that moment in time I just knew it was over with. But, you know, in this business – because it is a business – you have people that do things that they’re not supposed to do. Because they do it for the sport.”
“The referee – I think he gave way too much time … He said the only reason he did what he did was because [it] was best for the sport – and I’m like that’s not fair to me. When you see him judge any other fights after that, he waves them off quick.”
“But, I take nothing back. It helped [bring] greatness to the trilogy for people.”
Fury went on to defeat Wilder by stoppage in their second and third fights, putting a full stop on an edge-of-your-seat trilogy. The American is now looking to build back to the top, with his first test being Robert Helenius this weekend in Arizona.