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Tyson Fury hopes his “iconic comeback” against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder can inspire fellow mental health sufferers.
Fury regained his title-winning form to become only the second man in 41 fights to take boxing’s biggest puncher the full distance after battling back from a spiral of depression which led him to the brink of suicide.
The former three-belt champion, however, was floored in the ninth and almost didn’t hear the final bell at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
A savage combination left Fury motionless on the canvas early in the final round but to Wilder’s amazement; the challenger jolted back to life at the count six and on his feet by nine.
“I don’t know how he got up,” said Wilder. “I thought I had him out of there; it was a right hand and a left hook and I saw his eyes roll into his head. I thought it was over; God knows how he got up.”
Fury not only somehow returned to his feet but also finished the final two minutes of the fight strongly to secure a split decision draw; 115-11 for Wilder, 114-112 for Fury and 113-113.
The 30-year-old, who three years ago sensationally ended the 11-year reign of heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko, controlled many of the rounds and felt he had done enough to shock the world again.
Undefeated Fury, rather than complain about the verdict, instead dedicated his performance to fellow mental health sufferers.
“It’s an iconic comeback,” Fury told BT Sport. “Two-and-a-half-year out of the ring, 10 stone ballooned, mental health problems.
“I just showed the world tonight, everyone suffering with mental health that you can comeback and it can be done.
“Everybody out there who has the same problems that I have been suffering with, I did that for you guys.
“You know the truth, everybody knows I won that fight and if I can comeback from where I come from, then you can do it to.
“So get up, get over it and let’s do it. Seek help and let’s do it as a team. I did it for you guys.”
A fairytale ending may have eluded “The Gypsy King” this time but a second shot at redemption could still be on the cards.
The winner of America’s first heavyweight pay-per-view clash in over a decade was supposed to face unified champion Anthony Joshua but a rematch might be easier to make and more in demand.
“I would love for it to be my next fight,” added Wilder.
“Why not? Let’s give the fans what they want to see. It was a great fight and let’s do it again. It doesn’t matter to me where we do it.
“We’re the two best in the world and we proved it tonight. When you get two warriors you get a real fight. That’s what we proved tonight and I’m ready to do it again.”
Read more on Headstrong / Fixing fighters minds HERE
Read more on WBC Boxing HERE
PHOTO BY HOGANPHOTOS
By Peter Gilbert
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and contender Tyson Fury, will fight on December 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Wilder, unbeaten in his 40 fights (39 wins by KO), has held the WBC title since January 2015 and has successfully defended it seven times, the last of which was against previously undefeated Cuban Luis Ortiz.
For his part, Fury, former world champion, returned to the ring, after almost three years without fighting due to personal problems, but in his last fights he has shown that he is up to the task of facing quality champion Wilder.
The Brit also has an unbeaten record with 27 wins, 19 of them by knockout.
“The two best heavyweights will compete with each other. The best against the best, giving people what they want,” Wilder said.
Fury, a former world champion, beat Francesco Pianeta by points in his second fight since returning to the ring after an absence of two and a half years.
“I know you have a powerful blow, I know you’re undefeated, I know you have a tremendous mouth and I know you want to win. But you do not want it as much as I do,” said Fury.
Wilder and Fury, both undefeated, staged a promotional tour in London, New York and Los Angeles.
The winner of that highly anticipated bout will march on to face Anthony Joshua, in a match for the unification of the heavyweight world titles.
Watch WBC (BT Sport) Interview with Wilder vs Fury HERE
Read (June 2018) WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán interview HERE
Read more on WBC Boxing HERE
See below information on how to watch Wilder vs Fury
Image by WBC Boxing
Eddie Hearn:
“It’s fantastic to see Amir Khan back again after a blistering performance at the Echo Arena in Liverpool against Phil Lo Greco. We’re still catching our breath from that. But this time I think a much more serious challenge is in front of him that he has prepared for intensely with his new trainer Joe Goosen.
“Chief support is a fantastic rematch of the Fight of the Year contender between Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford. There’s some huge fights on the undercard, Ryan Kelly takes on Kelcie Ball for the Midlands Area Super-Welter title and there’s action elsewhere from Sam Eggington, Lewis Ritson, Gamal Yafai, Scott Fitzgerald any many more. We’ve got 13 fights on Saturday, the doors open at 4 o’clock and we’re going to be running right through to midnight. Thanks for turning out today, the weigh-in tomorrow will take place at the arena, be there, it’s a 2.00pm start. We look forward to a great fight between Amir and Samuel and a great night of boxing live on Sky Sports and DAZN.”
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing:
“It’s brilliant to be back isn’t it. A fantastic run through to autumn and winter. Boxing is so hot at the moment and what better place to start than here in Birmingham. It’s great to be back, it’s fantastic to have Amir Khan topping the bill. We didn’t get to see much of him in Liverpool, it was so quick against Phil Lo Greco. I’m sure we’ll have more from Samuel Vargas, who I know comes full of confidence and with a big team. It is great to see Chris Johnson back in Britain, it has been a few years.
“It’s a wonderful card, there’s so many fights on the bill. We’re going to be Facebook live from six o’clock on Saturday night and live on Sky Sports Action from seven o’clock. It’s a great showcase for all of the talent on this bill. There’s a great British title fight on the bill as Jason Welborn rematches with Tommy Langford, I’m really looking forward to that. There’s plenty to look forward to, I can’t wait.”
Lee Baxter of Lee Baxter Promotions:
“The work is done. In the lead up to this fight all we have been talking about is Phil Lo Greco. I’m going to thank Phil on Sunday because I think everyone over here thinks we’re all the same in Toronto. The work has been put it, ultimately it comes down to Saturday. I know what we’ve done. They know what they think they’ve done. They don’t know us. We’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve. We’ve done everything we can. Come Sunday morning we’ll all be happy. We’re a young team that is growing and Sam is holding the torch right now.”
Chris Johnson, trainer of Samuel Vargas:
“We’re definitely not expecting another Phil Lo Greco fight, I’m very familiar with him as well. This man beside me to my right (Samuel Vargas) is a beast, works hard, wants it, needs it. I trained Sammy up until he was 13-0 and we parted ways. And now that we’re back together it’s like we never left. You’re not going to see the same Sammy Vargas, you’re going to see an animal in front of you. I nicknamed him ‘The Bull’ because that’s what he is. I expect a knockout, that’s the only way to win here.”
Joe Goosen, trainer of Amir Khan:
“We had a great camp last time, it was a short camp, we only had five weeks. We’ve had ten weeks for this camp and we brought in top sparring. I’ve prepared like this is the toughest fight that he’s ever going to be in. We’ve put in all the work. We’re prepared. Ultimately, you’re going to have to get in the ring with Amir Khan and we’re talking about an exceptional career and he’s in an exceptional spot right now. Good luck to the boys over there (points to Team Vargas) but I’ve got the real athlete in the ring on Saturday night and we’ve come here to do one thing and that’s to win.”
Amir Khan – Bolton, England – 32-4, 20 KOs – fighting Samuel Vargas in a 12 round Welterweight contest:
“It’s been a tough training camp. I’ve spent round about ten weeks in Los Angeles and it’s the first time that me and Joe have spent a full camp together. The last fight was a little bit of short training camp because of the change of trainers. We’re going to be ready for this fight and I’m glad the team on my left (Team Vargas) is talking and they’re confident. They’re making the fight more exciting.
“I’ve trained very hard for this fight as I do for all of my fights. I’ve sparred with some really tough fighters and fighters that are probably better than my opponent. When I get in the ring I’m going to give Birmingham a great fight and I’m going to do what I do best. We never go into a fight looking for a knockout, we never go into a fight throwing big bombs. If it happens it happens, if I see an opening I’m going to take it. I’ve been watching videos of Vargas, I’ve seen a few things in there but everyone if different in every fight.
“I know I’ve got everything it takes to win this fight. I’m not seeing Vargas as another Lo Greco. They might be from the same country but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve trained like this is a World title fight because I know where this can take me.”
Samuel Vargas – Toronto, Canada – 29-3-2, 14 KOs – fighting Amir Khan in a 12 round Welterweight contest:
“I’ve had a great camp and I want to thank my team. I had a tremendous training camp and had a lot of rounds. I brought in sparring from Puerto Rico and the States as well as local sparring in Toronto. It was great. I’m blessed to be here.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I will be victorious on Saturday night. I don’t care how I do it. I don’t care if it’s by knockout or if it goes the distance or if I break his ribs. I don’t care how it is, in my heart I think it, I dream it, I pray about it and I’ll win. I think Amir is an old man and he’s over the hill. I think he’s been damaged a lot and I know in my hear that when he goes to sleep he knows that if I touch him, he’s going to get hurt. If I clip him with something he will get hurt.”
Sam Eggington – Stourbridge, England – 23-4, 15 KOs – fighting Hassan Mwakinyo in a 10 round Super-Welterweight contest:
“The Brandon Cook fight falling through was a massive disappointment. It was hard to get back into the gym so soon after it. My fight on Saturday was always planned, it was supposed to be a big fight but it is what it is. There’s some big fights in the pipeline that could change my career and my life in general. We’ll push on from this, we’ll get a good win and see what’s next.”
Jason Welborn – Tividale, England – 23-6, 7 KO’s – first defence of his British Middleweight title against Tommy Langford:
“I’m confident at the end of the day. I won the British title and I know that I can beat Tommy Langford again. I’ve trained even harder for this rematch. If I do what I did last time then I know that I’ll win. He’s got an excuse, he said that he didn’t prepare properly last time and he looked past me. He’s gone back to the drawing board, our side hasn’t. We’ve just got to turn up, get that win and do what I normally do. This is a brilliant bill here in Birmingham and it’s going to bring the best out of me. I’m ready to go 12 rounds at a solid pace, I’ve put my body through hell. He’s had his time, this is my time now. This is the end of Tommy Langford, I’m telling you straight.”
Tommy Langford – Birmingham, England – 20-2, 6 KO’s – challenging Jason Welborn for the British Middleweight title:
“It’s brilliant to have such a huge event back in Birmingham. It’s a great boxing city. It’s a chance for me to show what I’ve got. There’s huge exposure for all of the lads on the card and it’s going to be absolutely rammed out in the arena so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I made a lot of mistakes last time, I’ve been very open about that. I held my hands up, I completely overlooked Jason. I haven’t done that this time, I’ve given the respect and the training camp that he’s due. I’m looking forward to putting on a very good performance on Saturday.”
Ryan Kelly – Birmingham, England – 11-1, 5 KOs – Fighting Kelcie Ball for the the Midlands Area Super-Welterweight title:
“I think it’s time to prove that last time out wasn’t a good night for me. I’ve been training really hard since that loss and it’s time to put things right. I’ve sold a load of tickets. There’s a lot of people coming down to support me on the night so I’m looking to box out my skin. I’ve got a game opponent in front of me in Kelcie Ball and I’m looking forward to doing a job.”
Scott Fitzgerald – Preston, England – 10-0, 7KOs – fighting Craig Morris in a 10 round Super-Welterweight contest:
“I’ve had ten fights and now I’m getting into the big contests. This is a step up for me on Saturday. I’ll be concentrating on Craig Morris first of all and making sure I do a good job and get the win. Then we can look at the big fights that are in the pipeline. Craig is a game fighter who is coming to win. Maybe it will be the Anthony Fowler fight next. There’s a lot of big fights out there for me that can be made if I come through Saturday. The winner of me against Fowler could potentially face the winner of Ted Cheeseman vs. Asinia Byfield.”
Qais Ashfaq – Leeds, England – 2-0 – fighting Gary Austin in a 6 round Super-Bantamweight contest:
“I’ve been working hard in the gym. It’s my third fight, I’m amazed I’m here right now. It’s my second Amir Khan undercard which is obviously a great experience. I’ve been staying in the gym, learning the trade. I wouldn’t say that my last two fights had that pro style but we’ve been working hard on it and I’m looking forward to showing everyone on Saturday night. I’m just getting better and better as the time goes on.”
