The much anticipated rematch, which held at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, had Fury’s corner worried over judges. The self acclaimed Gypsy King, however, looked unconcerned as he surprised the 15,000-strong spectators with a dominant display from the first ring of the bell.
After suffering perceived “injustice” in the first fight which was scored draw, Fury came out swinging in this rematch, and below is a detailed account of the seven rounds of punishment Wilder received at the hands of Fury, the new king.
Round One
Fury, who entered the ring dressed as a king, sprinted out of his corner at the sound of the bell. However, it was Wilder who threw two big punches in the opening 30 seconds from his ferocious right hand and that was the best the 34-year-old could offer. Fury would return the favour in company of a big left plus ferocious jabs, one of which wobbled the former champion. Fury meant business!
Round Two
Fury, who boasted about stopping Wilder in the second round during the pre-match interviews, opened the round with several jabs. However, Fury would go on the defense afterwards, expecting a Wilder response which was halfhearted. Nicknamed 2Fast, Fury was indeed too fast for Wilder with his evasive technique, swerving sideways and under Wilder’s punches. He was eventually caught twice and he took both into his stride and exploded afterwards to finish the round strong. He caught Wilder with combinations of hooks and jabs but the American was saved by the bell. Prediction gone.
Round Three
Wilder began to wobble really bad and Fury worked him with some quality jabs before landing several right-hand power punches. One of the punches from the Irish/British boxer to the side of Wilder’s face sent the American into the canvass, much to the enjoyment of Fury’s anxious wife who was ringside. Wife goals.
Round Four
Wilder, who continued to wobble — bleeding from the left ear alongside a puffy face — came out flying but was met with another right hand punch and many more followed as the Bronx bomber staggered through the round. Wilder managed to swing his right but could not connect at the end of the round. Wobbling punches.
Round Five
The punishment continued with Wilder looking exhausted. Fury continued to put his opponent to the canvass again with a combination to the face and body. Surviving the count comfortably, Wilder himself was not comfortable and resorted to a holding contest. Fury would continue to land Wilder more punches until he scrambled to the floor again. The referee did not give a knock down this time, rather he deducted a point from Fury who could afford to gift points at this point. Fury continued with his dominance while Wilder wallowed in feeble defence. Pitiful.
Round Six
Although Wilder continued to hold Fury to catch his breath and slow his momentum, the American’s balance continued to expose him and Fury duly punished him with relentless punches. Midway through the round, Fury cornered Wilder and delivered several combinations which ended with big right hands. A stubborn Wilder would continue to hold despite offering nothing in return. On the edge.
Round Seven
The final round of this exciting but one-sided contest lasted all of 39 seconds. With the handwriting already on the wall, combinations of heavy right-hand punches and jabs continued to rain on Wilder. Fury, once again, pinned the battered Wilder — who carried a completely swollen face, bloodied left ear and bleeding lip — into a corner and pummelled the out-of-sorts bronze bomber. Wilder was eventually saved from further punishment by the white towel thrown into the ring from his corner, forcing the referee to stop the seven rounds of attacking masterclass from Fury. The King is back!!!
Winner
Boxing was the winner of the night and it had a fighter in Fury who attacked his opponent all night, a surprise tactic most pundits never saw coming.
Fury, with the victory, became a two-time heavyweight boxing champion, claiming the World Boxing Council, (WBC) title and lineal heavyweight title. He also adds the Ring magazine belt, becoming the first person after Mohammed Ali to hold the title twice. The self acclaimed returning king also becomes the first man to have held the WBC WBO WBA IBF IBO and Ring magazine belt.
With the win, Fury remains undefeated on 30-1-0 record with 21 knockouts, while Wilder suffered the first defeat of his career. Wilder’s defeat also means he is unable to retain his belt on his 11th title defence, and will not surpass Mohammed Ali as the longest reigning champion.
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