TYSON FURY and Deontay Wilder have targeted a rematch after they thrillingly fought to a draw in their WBC heavyweight title fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The 33-year-old Wilder effectively retained his title in the dramatic final round with the second of two knockdowns, one so heavy Fury appeared out cold before remarkably returning to his feet.
A rematch appeared inevitable even before it was controversially announced a draw via scores of 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113 and owing to his classy, gutsy performance as he outboxed the champion, Fury would surely be the favourite.
Unusually since Anthony Joshuaโs victory over Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF, WBA and WBO champion would be at risk of being overlooked as the divisionโs leading attraction, and discussing the inevitable rematch, Fury said: โOne hundred percent weโll do it.
โWe are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.
โWeโre on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight. Iโm being a total professional here. I went to Germany to fight Klitschko and I went to America to fight Deontay Wilder. God bless America. The โGypsy Kingโ has returned.
โI hope I did you all proud after nearly three years out of the ring. I was never going to be knocked out. I showed good heart to get up. I came here and I fought my heart out.
โIโm what you call a pro athlete that loves to box. I donโt know anyone on the planet that can move like that. That man is a fearsome puncher and I was able to avoid that. The world knows I won the fight.
โIโve been away from my family for 10 weeks.ย Iโm just going to spend some time with my family. ย (Itโs) well deserved.โ
Americaโs Wilder, who like Fury had previously won each of his professional fights and was the lighter of the two by 42lbs, also argued that he had deserved the decision but he said:ย โI would love for (a rematch) to be my next fight.ย Why not?
โLetโs give the fans what they want to see.ย It was a great fight and letโs do it again.ย It doesnโt matter to me where we do it.
โWith the two knockdowns I definitely won.ย We poured our hearts out. Weโre both warriors, but with those two drops I won the fight.ย I came out slow. I rushed my punches. I didnโt sit still. I was too hesitant. I started overthrowing the right hand and I just couldnโt adjust.
โI was rushing my punches.ย Thatโs something I usually donโt do.ย I couldnโt let it go. I was forcing my punches too much instead of sitting back being patient and waiting for it.ย I really wanted to get him out of there, give the fans what they want to see.
โWhen I rush my punches like that Iโm never accurate.ย The rematch I guarantee Iโm going to get him.
โWeโre the two best in the world and we proved it.ย When you get two warriors you get a great fight. Iโm ready to do it again.โ