Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder call for rematch after Los Angeles draw

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.

tyson fury
Tyson Fury recovered from a 12th-round knockdown (Lionel Hahn/PA)

Unusually since Anthony Joshuaโ€™s victory over Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF, WBA and WBO champion would be at risk of being overlooked as the divisionโ€™s leading attraction, and discussing the inevitable rematch, Fury said: โ€œOne hundred percent weโ€™ll do it.

โ€œWe are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.

โ€œWeโ€™re on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight. Iโ€™m 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 โ€˜Gypsy Kingโ€™ has returned.


โ€œI 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.

โ€œIโ€™m what you call a pro athlete that loves to box. I donโ€™t 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.

โ€œIโ€™ve been away from my family for 10 weeks.ย  Iโ€™m just going to spend some time with my family. ย (Itโ€™s) well deserved.โ€

Americaโ€™s 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 โ€œI would love for (a rematch) to be my next fight.ย  Why not?

deontay wilder and tyson fury
Deontay Wilder and Tyson Furyโ€™s bout was scored a draw (Lionel Hahn/PA)

โ€œLetโ€™s give the fans what they want to see.ย  It was a great fight and letโ€™s do it again.ย  It doesnโ€™t matter to me where we do it.

โ€œWith the two knockdowns I definitely won.ย  We poured our hearts out. Weโ€™re both warriors, but with those two drops I won the fight.ย  I came out slow. I rushed my punches. I didnโ€™t sit still. I was too hesitant. I started overthrowing the right hand and I just couldnโ€™t adjust.

โ€œI was rushing my punches.ย  Thatโ€™s something I usually donโ€™t do.ย  I couldnโ€™t 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.

โ€œWhen I rush my punches like that Iโ€™m never accurate.ย  The rematch I guarantee Iโ€™m going to get him.

โ€œWeโ€™re the two best in the world and we proved it.ย  When you get two warriors you get a great fight. Iโ€™m ready to do it again.โ€

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