After twice crashing to the canvas in a thrilling world title fight, Tyson Fury has declared that Deontay Wilder is the “biggest puncher in heavyweight history”.
Fury was denied one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history when his WBC heavyweight title fight against Wilder at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was scored a draw.
After dominating the opening rounds, Fury was first knocked down in the ninth, and again in the 12th when he appeared out cold, but he returned to his feet and recovered enough to survive to the final bell.
And after the fight, Fury was quick to praise his American rival.
“He’s a great fighting man and I respect him,” Fury said at his post-fight press conference.
“I said in the build-up, Deontay Wilder make no mistake about it, is the biggest puncher in heavyweight history. He's a fearsome puncher. But I have a fighting spirit and a fighting heart.”
Fury added that he felt he had won a moral victory after he was written off by many pundits ahead of the contest.
“I’ve had three fights in five years. But like I said, everyone said I had fought nobody and that Wilder would knock me out in a round. But who did I fight to prepare for Klitschko? I always rise to the ocassion.
“I’m not happy with the draw but I’m a realist. I’m not going to cry over spilt milk. Both men got out the ring healthy and we go back to our families. We’re behemoths of men and anything can happen in there. I should have won but I’m not going to complain.”
