By Geno McGahee
Tyson Fury, 27-0-1, 19 KO’s, was reborn and showed that he is one of the top three heavyweights in boxing, if not the best with a slightly controversial draw to reigning WBC heavyweight kingpin, Deontay Wilder, 40-0-1, 19 KO’s, by scores of 113-113, 114-110 (Fury) and 115-111 (Wilder).
It was clear from the opening bell that the style of Fury was confusing Wilder. He couldn’t get off. Much like Wladimir Klitschko when he fought Fury, he was shut down and it became the Fury show as the used his superior skills and defense to take the majority of the rounds.
In the 9th round, Wilder would find Fury with a right hand high on the head and drop him. He got up and fought on and would take control of the fight again. In the 12th round, with Wilder, presumably, well behind on the cards, would land a crushing right hand followed by a hard left hook that sent Fury down hard for the nine count. It looked to be over, but Fury countered the attacking champion with a right hand-left hook combo that put him back into his shell.
The 113-113 is acceptable, but the point of contention is the 115-111 scorecard for the champion. It was obvious that Fury was running away with it. The rounds that he won, he won without question. The close rounds that could have gone to Wilder were not defining rounds for the champ. Wilder needed the knock downs and, like a champion, he got them and a draw is not a bad call, but a 115-111 card for the champion should be looked into. It’s hard to justify it.
In the end, the result helps both men. Fury proved that he is a force in the division and came back from depression and drug abuse to solidify his spot at the top. Wilder showed that he can deliver when the chips are down, even though he was unable to win the fight. Remarkably, this showing may force Anthony Joshua, the other champion, to finally take on Wilder as his weaknesses were on full display.
A big credit to Showtime. This was a great and fun pay per view. We don’t get many of those.
