Deontay Wilder kept hold of his WBC World Heavyweight title after a controversial split decision draw with Tyson Fury despite most people having the British boxer ahead.
The British boxer was the better man throughout, making the American miss over and over. However on two occasions the Bronze Bomber landed shots good enough to put the challenger on the floor.
First in the ninth and again in the 12th, and final round. The second time it looked like Fury was out for the count after a left hook but he somehow rose to his feet but the two knockdowns left the fight to be a draw.
Wilder first won the WBC heavyweight title by beating Bermane Stiverne in January 2015, in the only fight to date he'd won not inside the distance, and had defended the title seven times ahead of the Fury fight.
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Fury won the WBA (super), WBO, IBF, IBO, Ring and lineal versions of the title in November 2015 when he beat Wladimir Klitschko in Düsseldorf.
The Brit had to give up his titles after having to fight depression and a suspension for a failed drugs test and took nearly three years before getting back in the ring following the Klitschko win.
After just two comeback bouts the announcement that he would fight for the world title did surprise most and the Gypsy King was always going to be the underdog going into the opening bell.
Fury arrived to the ring dancing to his entrance music, Freed From Desire, with his large travelling support singing him on the way.
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Wilder, wearing a new gold mask and crown, was accompanied by J-Rock to the ring whilst fireworks went off and trumpeters played him into the arena.
The Bronze Bomber made contact first with a left hand to the body and the American went swinging in early in the first round. Fury though wobbled Wilder towards the end of the first round and boxed the opening three minutes better.
Wilder did manage to land some good shots in the second round, including an excellent right in the last 10 seconds, but Fury did take everything well and raised his hands to say 'is that all you've got' at the bell.
At the end of the third Wilder's eye had been swollen after decent shots from the former WBA champion, including one right at the end of the round.
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The WBC champion was, as expected, doing a lot of the coming forward but was being made to miss over and over again by Fury.
The first half of the fight was extremely difficult to call with so many tight rounds. ESPN's Dan Rafael had Wilder 4-2 up after six but most people, including Abel Sanchez on BBC Radio 5 Live had Fury ahead at the halfway point.
Round Seven was the most exciting round of the fight with both men exchanging shots that got through but Wilder also, once again, being made to miss.
In the ninth Fury was floored, as the Bronze Bomber landed a left-right combination, and given a seven a count but got to his feet on time. Wilder came forward again and caught him once more.
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Then Fury did come back with a couple of shots before once more the American came forward swinging. The Brit though finished the round strongly and goaded his opponent by dropping his hands and goading the American.
Despite the knockdown it was Fury looking the fresher man and Wilder was unable to take advantage of his 10-8 round in the 10th.
At the end of the 11th the challenger must have thought he was ahead as he raised his hands in the air as the travelling support cheered him on.
The crowd roared as the 12th and final round started. Knowing he needed a stoppage Wilder came out swinging early in the last round and once again knocked Fury to the ground.
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Somehow the Brit answered the count and got back to his feet, even getting his own shots away as the two spent much of the final minute holding on.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Deontay Wilder