Deontay Wilder will have to decide within a month if he wants to take on Tyson Fury for the third time.
Fury produced a stunning performance of patience and power to stop Wilder in the seventh round to finally win the WBC world heavyweight title.
Fourteen months on from his controversial draw with Wilder - when he outboxed the champion only for two knockdowns to deny him the famous green belt - Fury had vowed to take the fight to the American.
He did just that, flooring the champion twice and completely dominating the action before Wilder's corner threw the towel in to save the despairing, bewildered champion from more punishment.
Despite the spectacular defeat, Wilder is expected to activate the clause in his contract which gives the loser 30 days to agree to a rematch.
The American fighter missed his post-fight press conference as he was taken to a nearby hospital for further checks after being seen getting his ear stitched in his dressing room following the first defeat of his professional career.
Fury was present for the press conference, though, and said: “Deontay will need some time to recover from this fight.
"I’m sure sure he’ll take the rematch because he’s a dynamite puncher. Pretty sure we’ll do it again.
"Whoever’s next will get the same treatment”
Wilder's trainer Jay Deas said: “I absolutely think he will want to rematch.
“These guys have put on two tremendous fights already. I think the fans will want it, I think we will want it and I think they (Fury’s team) will want it."
Fury (30-0-1) now takes the WBC crown from Wilder (42-1-1) and settles the score between the two.
