Deontay Wilder praised for showing ‘guts, heart and desire’ despite defeat to Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury reacts to win over Deontay Wilder

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Deontay Wilder has been praised for showing ‘guts, heart and desire’ despite losing to Tyson Fury in their historic trilogy title fight. The Bronze Bomber was knocked out in the 11th round by the Gypsy King in what will go down as one of the greatest heavyweight boxing matches in history.

Wilder began the fight on the front foot, looking to use his aggression and power to target Fury’s body.

This was a completely different game plan from the American, who relied predominantly on his strong knockout punch in the previous two fights against Fury.

However, the WBC heavyweight champion began to find his rhythm and used his superb movement to avoid Wilder’s punches as he began to tire.

In the second half of the bout, the Brit began to come into his own, which saw Wilder withstand an onslaught from Fury.

Despite the punishment he endured in the latter rounds, Wilder kept battling knowing all he needed was one solid punch to shift the momentum.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury knocks out Deontay Wilder after surviving two knockdowns in breathtaking war

However, it wasn’t to be as Fury piled on the pressure and managed to secure a brutal blow in the penultimate round to keep the former champion down.

BBC Sport pundit Steve Bunce lauded Wilder for his valiant performance in a truly sensational fight that saw five knockdowns overall.

“When he is determined, he is untouchable. When he went down in the fourth those were heavy knockdowns. His eyes were glazed in the fifth but he managed to turn it around. He is an extraordinary human,” they said.

“The doctor went up four times to have a look in Wilder’s face and asked if he could continue and four times Wilder pushed him away.

“It was a rollercoaster and the reason it got to the 11th round was because of Wilder’s guts, heart and desire.

“He might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he is brave and he is fearless.”

In what was a thrilling back-and-forth trilogy fight, 33-year-old Fury recovered from being knocked down twice in the fourth round to secure a monumental win.

Both men were taken off their feet with Wilder down in the third and 10th rounds and Fury down twice in one round for the first time in his career.

But it was the British fighter who recovered best from the setbacks to send Wilder crashing to the mat once and for all in the penultimate round, ensuring a conclusive end to their long-running feud.

Post-fight, a delighted Fury’s assessment wasn’t as postive about his opponent, commenting: “It was a great fight and worthy of any great trilogy fight.

“He’s got no love for me because I’ve beaten him three times.

“I’m a sportsman, I went over to him show some love and respect and he didn’t want to show it back. So I pray for him.”

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