Fury dominates trilogy fight, Wilder knocked out in 11.

                             

In a spectacular fight that produced more that it’s fair share of high drama, Tyson Fury cemented his claim as the number one lineal heavyweight title holder by knocking out former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in what was the Gypsy Kings first world title defence despite winning his first championship nearly 6 years ago. Fury 31-0-1 (22 Ko’s) boxed intelligently as the self proclaimed rejuvenated Wilder 42-2-1 (41 Ko’s) began by launched an assertive body attack, Fury found his measure in short bursts set up with trade mark feints. Fury drew first blood with fast 2 punch combinations in the second that knocked off Wilders momentum. The real breakthrough came in the 3rd when Fury landed a quick one two on the ropes that staggered Deontay followed by a short right uppercut that dropped the former champ. Wilder did regroup despite being forced to fight on the back foot and in the 4th detonated a short right hand that caused the champion to pitch forward onto the canvas for only the 5th time in his career, moments later a short flurry had Fury back on the canvas in what appeared to be a turning point in the fight, Fury rose at 8 and survived the round. Fury was ordered in between rounds to stick to basics and box behind the jab in an attempt to close the distance down to negate Wilders right hand, Fury stuck to task and by round 8 the short explosive bursts of punches paired with the 277 pound physical presence in the clinches seemed to be wearing Wilder down who was beginning to have a sleepwalking look about him. By the 10th Deontay didn’t appear to have his legs under him and the steady drip of constant pressure from Fury had him on the floor again, this time from a solitary right hand. A desperate Malik Scott tried to advise his fighter to walk forward each time Fury tried to mount any type of attack, telling Wilder that he had been blessed with a gift to get him out of trouble. After a doctors inspection Wilder entered the 11th looking demoralised, every attempt he made to claw his title back appeared in vain as Fury patiently manhandled him before knocking him lifeless with a stiff right hand on the ropes with just 1:10 left in the round, referee Russell Mora immediately stopped the fight with Wilder knocked out for the first time in his 45 fight career. In all honestly a more compassionate corner may have been able to prevent the brutal ending that appeared unnecessary considering the physical state Wilder had been in for the previous 5 rounds. Fury retains his WBC title and remains the lightening bolt of the division. The potential for a unification with Usyk looks unlikely considering the Anthony Joshua rematch clause although an interesting domestic affair appears a possibility with Dillian Whyte who is finally knocking on the door of his first world title shot.