Relive Tyson Fury’s epic defeat of Deontay Wilder in Wilder-Fury II
It was billed as one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time, and Wilder-Fury II lived up to the hype.
As we all try to make the best of staying home and staying healthy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, FOX Sports is bringing you exclusive re-airs of some of the best sporting events in recent history. And since Friday night is fight night, tonight meant the epic collision between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, only on FS1.
The night began with all the pageantry of the ring walks for both fighters. The Gypsy King chose a regal aesthetic, entering on a throne, adorned in a crown and robe:
Wilder went bigger, decked out in an incredible set of armor with a skull facemask:
And if it looked heavy, you’d be right. In fact, after the fight, Wilder pointed to his entrance attire as part of the reason he wasn’t able to put on his best performance.
“He didn’t hurt me at all … my uniform was way too heavy for me. I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight.”@BronzeBomber says his 40+ pound ring walk costume may have been too much, per @YahooSports‘ @KevinI pic.twitter.com/XKUzafg1WT
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) February 24, 2020
But we’ll get to that. First things first, let’s start with, well, the first round.
Fury set the tone early, consistently coming forward, forcing Wilder back, and delivering blow after blow to the Bronze Bomber:
The most anticipated rematch in boxing begins! #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/Zs1ldmAN2C
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
Despite Fury’s proclamation he would score a knockout victory in the second round, Wilder bounced back, with the two Goliaths exchanging blows, including after the bell:
It was a wild finish for the heavyweights in the 2nd round! #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/nGsjkbZn0n
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
That’s when things got very real.
In the final minute of the third round, the referee separated Wilder and Fury after they locked up in the middle of the ring. As soon as they were apart and ready to resume boxing, Fury unleashed a devastating punch to the side of Wilder’s head, scoring a stunning knockdown:
In the first shock of the fight, Tyson Fury knocks down @BronzeBomber in the 3rd round! #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/VTeejl8UxK
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
Fury. Kept. Coming. Wilder did his best to fend him off in the fourth, but the damage was clear — and accumulating quickly.
In the fifth, with Wilder backpedaling and on the defensive, Fury scored a second knockdown, as the outcome started to feel inevitable.
The 2nd shock of the fight. #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/cktH0EPqS6
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
The sixth round, though, gave us the single indelible image of the fight. Wilder had been busted open, and Fury took it upon himself to lick some of the blood of his opponent. For … reasons, apparently.
?@Tyson_Fury put a lickin’ on @BronzeBomber.
Buy #WilderFury2 NOW: https://t.co/auWEj0uOn9 pic.twitter.com/0dQVNj27ld
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) February 23, 2020
At that point, this one was academic. Fury backed Wilder into the neutral corner, split his guard with a couple more ruinous punches, and forced the official to stop the fight, handing Wilder his first career loss:
THE GYPSY KING DID IT! ?
Tyson Fury dealt Deontay Wilder his first career loss and became the NEW WBC Heavyweight champ! pic.twitter.com/nd9jFQBkaZ
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
Fury celebrated his PBC Heavyweight title win in proper fashion, serenading the crowd in a spot-on rendition of American Pie:
?Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die?@Tyson_Fury serenades the crowd after his victory.Buy #WilderFury2 NOW: https://t.co/auWEj0uOn9 pic.twitter.com/ipz5Q5uhxf
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) February 23, 2020
Indeed, that’s a song fit for a king.
IT’S OVER! THE GYPSY KING HAS DONE IT! ?
Tyson Fury deals Deontay Wilder his first career loss and is the NEW WBC Heavyweight champ! #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/yZ10RReCIB
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) February 23, 2020
And the final fight stats showed just how lopsided of a contest this was:
These were final fight stats for #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/4Ti3rKyTAn
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 28, 2020
That leaves the series between these two titans tied at one apiece. And Wilder has already said he’ll be coming for that rematch.
Who’s ready for Act III between the @BronzeBomber and @Tyson_Fury? ? pic.twitter.com/mwhyTk8Ci6
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) March 2, 2020
We can’t wait.