Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III
{{Short description|Boxing competition}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Once and for All
| image = 250px
| caption =
| fight date = October 9, 2021
| location = T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
| titles = WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
| fighter1 = Tyson Fury
| nickname1 = "The Gypsy King"
| hometown1 = Wythenshawe, Manchester, UK
| purse1 =
| record1 = 30–0–1 (21 KO)
| age1 = {{age in years and months |12 August 1988 |October 9, 2021}}
| height1 = 6 ft 9 in
| weight1 = 277 lb
| style1 = Orthodox{{refn|group=nb|Listed by BoxRec as orthodox, but regularly switch hits as a southpaw.}}
| recognition1 = WBC, TBRB and The Ring
Heavyweight Champion
| fighter2 = Deontay Wilder
| nickname2 = "The Bronze Bomber"
| hometown2 = Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
| purse2 =
| record2 = 42–1–1 (41 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |October 22, 1985 |October 9, 2021}}
| height2 = 6 ft 7 in
| weight2 = 238 lb
| style2 = Orthodox
| recognition2 = WBC
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
TBRB
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
| result = Fury wins via 11th-round KO
}}
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III billed as "Once and for All" was a professional boxing match contested between WBC and The Ring heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, and former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder.{{cite web |title=Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder (3rd meeting) |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Tyson_Fury_vs._Deontay_Wilder_(3rd_meeting) |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=22 July 2024}} The bout took place at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on October 9, 2021. The fight, which Fury won via eleventh-round knockout, was widely regarded as the best fight of the year and one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time, winning the award for The Ring magazine Fight of the Year 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/32952680/boxing-best-2021-how-upsets-canelo-alvarez-fury-wilder-3-shaped-wild-year|title=Boxing's best of 2021: Canelo Alvarez, Fury-Wilder 3 and a wild year of upsets|date=December 30, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-boxing-fight-of-the-year-tyson-fury-deontay-wilder-deliver-a-thriller-180037708.html|title=2021 Boxing Fight of the Year: Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder deliver a thriller|date=December 28, 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12502226/tyson-furys-epic-battle-with-deontay-wilder-delivered-unforgettable-drama-but-was-it-the-best-fight-of-the-year#:~:text=The%20fight%20of%20the%20year,the%20middle%20of%20that%20rivalry.|title = Tyson Fury's epic battle with Deontay Wilder delivered unforgettable drama but was it the best fight of the year?}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ringtv.com/632616-tyson-fury-ko-11-deontay-wilder-is-the-ring-fight-of-the-year-for-2021/|title = Tyson Fury KO 11 Deontay Wilder is the Ring Fight of the Year for 2021|date = December 29, 2021}}
Background
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = Tyson Fury at Place Bell, Laval Quebec, Canada - Dec 16 2017 (cropped).jpg
| width1 = | height1 = 300
| image2 = Deontay Wilder 2018 (cropped).jpg
| width2 = | height2 = 300
| footer = Tyson Fury (left) and Deontay Wilder (right)
}}
Fury and Wilder first fought in December 2018, with the bout ending in a controversial draw.{{Cite web|last=Benson|first=Michael|date=December 2, 2018|title=Deontay Wilder retains heavyweight world title by claiming draw with Tyson Fury|url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/454697/deontay-wilder-fight-draw-tyson-fury/|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=Talksport|language=}}{{Cite web|last=Coppinger|first=Mike|date=December 1, 2018|title=Tyson Fury survives two knockdowns at hands of Deontay Wilder, settles for controversial draw|url=https://www.ringtv.com/548927-tyson-fury-survives-two-knockdowns-at-hands-of-deontay-wilder-settles-for-controversial-draw/|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=The Ring}}{{Cite news|last=Davies|first=Gareth A.|date=December 2, 2018|title=Wilder vs Fury scoring row: Who are the judges and how did they come to their controversial split-decision draw?|language=|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2018/12/02/wilder-vs-fury-scoring-row-judges-did-come-controversial-split/|access-date=May 21, 2021|issn=}} The pair had a rematch in February 2020, with Fury emerging victorious via seventh-round technical knockout to capture the WBC and vacant Ring magazine heavyweight titles. Wilder initiated a contractual rematch clause in March,{{Cite web|last=Rathborn|first=Jack|date=March 1, 2020|title=Deontay Wilder officially triggers rematch clause for third fight with Tyson Fury|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/deontay-wilder-vs-tyson-fury-rematch-fight-bob-arum-official-when-what-date-a9367016.html|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=The Independent|language=}} with the bout initially being scheduled for July 18. However, due to Wilder still recovering from surgery and concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, the bout was postponed to October. The date was again pushed back to December due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that would limit fan attendance. After ESPN was unwilling to televise the bout as the event would conflict with their NFL schedule, it was suggested the date be pushed back for a third time. Upon hearing the news, Fury announced that he was walking away from the fight, stating, "they asked me if I would agree to push it to December. I agreed to Dec. 19. Then they tried to change the date again into next year. I've been training. I'm ready. When they tried moving off Dec. 19 and pushing to next year, enough was enough. I've moved on." Wilder responded to the comments by releasing a video on social media, accusing Fury of cheating in their February 2020 fight.{{Cite web|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|date=October 12, 2020|title=Tyson Fury says he has 'moved on' from trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder after multiple delays|url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/tyson-fury-says-he-has-moved-on-from-trilogy-bout-with-deontay-wilder-after-multiple-delays/|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=CBS Sports|language=}}
With Fury's team insisting the rematch clause had now expired, and Wilder's team insisting the opposite, the teams entered into a mediation process in an attempt to solve the issue, with a legally binding outcome being decided by an arbitration judge.{{Cite web|last=Parkinson|first=Nick|date=November 17, 2020|title=Warren: Ruling may force Fury to fight Wilder|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/30336982/arbitration-ruling-force-tyson-fury-fight-deontay-wilder-2021-frank-warren-says|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=ESPN|language=}} In the meantime, Fury entered negotiations for a unification bout with reigning WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion, Anthony Joshua. Following months of negotiations between the promoters of Fury and Joshua, an official announcement was said to be imminent.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Ron|date=May 16, 2021|title=Tyson Fury: I Cannot Wait To Smash Anthony Joshua on August 14|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/tyson-fury-i-cannot-wait-smash-anthony-joshua-on-august-14--157690|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=BoxingScene.com|language=}} However, on May 17, 2021, it was announced that the arbitration judge had ruled in Wilder's favor, ordering Fury to face Wilder no later than September 15.{{Cite web|last=Kriegel|first=Mark|date=May 17, 2021|title=Arbitrator: Fury must fight Wilder by Sept. 15|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/31462611/tyson-fury-fight-deontay-wilder-sept-15-arbitrator-oks-potential-extension|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=ESPN|language=}}
Following the arbitration decision, Fury's co-promoter, Bob Arum, revealed a targeted date of July 24, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.{{Cite web|last=Kriegel|first=Mark|date=May 17, 2021|title=Tyson Fury must fight Deontay Wilder by Sept. 15, arbitrator says|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/31462611/tyson-fury-fight-deontay-wilder-sept-15-arbitrator-oks-potential-extension|access-date=June 8, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=En}} The fight was postponed after Fury tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2021.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/57770810| title=Fury v Wilder III: Fight off following Covid-19 case in Briton's camp| work=BBC Sport| date=9 July 2021| accessdate=9 July 2021}} The new date was announced as October 9, 2021.{{Cite web|title=Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 rescheduled for October date {{!}} DAZN News US|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/tyson-fury-vs-deontay-wilder-3-rescheduled-for-october-date/1va5xhof6yk8c1dnfsspelwoe4|access-date=2021-07-15|website=DAZN|date=July 15, 2021 |language=en}} Both men weighed in at their respective career-heaviest weights, with the champion Fury weighing in at 277 lbs, and the challenger Wilder at 238 lbs.{{Cite news|last=Amako|first=Uche|date=2021-10-08|title=Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder trade words as both boxers weigh-in at career heaviest|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2021/10/08/tyson-fury-v-deontay-wilder-weigh-live-updates-heavyweight/|access-date=2021-10-08|issn=0307-1235}}
The fight
Wilder started the fight as the aggressor, jabbing Fury to the body and landing several clean right hands to his chest and stomach in the first round, which all three judges scored for Wilder. In the second, Fury began landing shots of his own and pushed Wilder backwards as the champion looked to establish himself in the fight. Towards the end of the third round, Fury caught Wilder with a right hook to the temple followed by a right uppercut in the clinch, which sent Wilder to the canvas. He made it to his feet and survived the round. As Fury sought to pile on the pressure against Wilder in the fourth round, Wilder landed a left jab followed by a straight right hand to Fury's left temple, stunning the champion and knocking him down. Fury made it to his feet but was floored once more after Wilder connected with a short right hook to behind Fury's ear.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/10/tyson-fury-beats-deontay-wilder-wbc-heavyweight-title-fight-boxing|title=Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder in all-time classic to retain WBC heavyweight title|date=10 October 2021|work=Guardian|accessdate= 11 October 2021}} Fury beat the count again, and the bell to end the round sounded soon after.
At the beginning of the fifth, Wilder swung heavily at Fury, but the challenger was unable to land any telling blows. Fury then began to reassert himself, and took control of the fight in rounds six, seven, eight, and nine, outstriking Wilder and wobbling him with a number of heavy shots as the challenger began to appear fatigued. In round ten, Fury landed another heavy right hand that sent Wilder sprawling to the canvas for the second time in the fight. Wilder made it to his feet and saw the end of the round. Fury applied more forward pressure in the eleventh round, as he hurt Wilder repeatedly at range and in the clinch. Nearing a minute into the round, Fury landed a clean right hand to Wilder's temple, causing the challenger to collapse to the floor. Referee Russell Mora immediately called a stop to the bout, securing a knockout victory for the defending champion Fury.{{Cite news|title=Fury beats Wilder in thrilling trilogy bout|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/58860290|access-date=2021-10-10}}
Aftermath
{{See also|Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte}}
After the fight, Fury went over to Wilder and attempted to shake his hand. Wilder rebuffed the attempt and refused to acknowledge Fury. In his post-fight interview, Fury stated "I'm a sportsman. I went over to him to show some love and respect and he didn't show it back. I will pray for him so that God will soften his heart." Fury then added that it "was a great fight tonight, worthy of the best of trilogies."{{Cite web|last=Polden|first=Jake|date=2021-10-10|title=Tyson Fury accuses Wilder of not wanting to show respect after knockout win|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/tyson-fury-accuses-deontay-wilder-25179162|access-date=2021-10-10|website=mirror|language=en}} Praise for the fight was immediate and profuse, with fans and pundits describing it as one of the greatest heavyweight bouts in history. Promoter Bob Arum stated he had "never seen a heavyweight fight as magnificent as this" during his 57-year career in boxing.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-10|title='Mind-blowing': Fury-Wilder 'best fight ever' as legendary promoter makes 'magnificent' 57-year claim|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing/tyson-fury-vs-deontay-wilder-3-ko-video-bob-arum-comments-knockout-highlights-winner-result-next-fight/news-story/ea6cbadb7784d05a456e860504d20002|access-date=2021-10-10|website=Fox Sports|language=en}}
The WBC ruled that if the winner of the fight doesn't unify with Oleksandr Usyk next, the victor will be ordered to defend the title against Dillian Whyte, the long-standing WBC No. 1 contender.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/32368331/anthony-joshua-exercises-right-rematch-oleksandr-usyk-heavyweight-championship |title=Anthony Joshua exercises right to rematch with Oleksandr Usyk for heavyweight championship |date=October 10, 2021 |first=Mike |last=Coppinger |work=ESPN}} Fury as the victor ultimately defended his WBC and Ring world titles against Whyte on April 23, 2022, winning the bout via sixth-round technical knockout.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-23 |title=Tyson Fury stops Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC world heavyweight title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/apr/23/tyson-fury-stops-dillian-whyte-to-retain-his-wbc-heavyweight-title |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
Fight card
Confirmed bouts:{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/834963|title=BoxRec - event|publisher=}}
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main Card}}
{{MMAevent bout|Heavyweight|{{flagicon|UK}} Tyson Fury (c)|def.|{{flagicon|US}} Deontay Wilder|KO|11/12|1:10|For WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles|
}}
{{MMAevent bout|Heavyweight|{{flagicon|CUB}} Frank Sánchez (c)|def.|{{flagicon|NGR}} Efe Ajagba|UD|10/10||For WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles|
}}
{{MMAevent bout|Heavyweight|{{flagicon|FIN}} Robert Helenius|def.|{{flagicon|POL}} Adam Kownacki|TKO|6/12|2:38||
}}
{{MMAevent bout|Heavyweight|{{flagicon|US}} Jared Anderson|def.|{{flagicon|RUS}} Vladimir Tereshkin|{{Abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}|2/8|2:51|For vacant NABF Junior heavyweight title|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Undercard|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout|Super middleweight|{{flagicon|US}} Edgar Berlanga|def.|{{flagicon|ARG}} Marcelo Esteban Coceres|{{Abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}|10/10||For vacant WBO–NABO super-middleweight title|
}}
{{MMAevent bout|Light middleweight|{{flagicon|MEX}} Vladimir Hernandez|def.|{{flagicon|US}} Julian Williams|{{Abbr|SD|Split decision}}|10/10|||
}}
{{MMAevent bout|Heavyweight|{{flagicon|UKR}} Viktor Vikhryst|def.|{{flagicon|US}} Mike Marshall|{{Abbr|KO|Knockout}}|3/8|1:49
}}{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Broadcasting
As with the second fight, the trilogy fight's pay-per-view was a joint presentation of ESPN and Fox Sports, and featured personalities from both networks. This time, Fox handled the majority of production duties for the fight; the Fox Sports PPV for Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugás—held at T-Mobile Arena in August—was described by a Fox Sports executive as having been a "dress rehearsal" for Fury-Wilder III.{{Cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Kristian|title=Live From Fury-Wilder III: Fox Sports Works With ESPN to Chronicle Last Installment of Heated Heavyweight Rivalry|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/10/09/live-from-fury-wilder-iii-fox-sports-works-with-espn-to-chronicle-last-installment-of-heated-heavyweight-rivalry/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Sports Video Group|date=October 9, 2021|language=en}}
Viewership
At a cost of $79.99, the bout generated around 600,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States and around 300,000 buys overseas.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2021/10/14/22726841/fury-vs-wilder-3-ppv-buys-domestic-haul-falls-well-below-expectations-boxing|title=Fury vs Wilder 3 PPV buys: Domestic haul falls well below expectations|date=October 14, 2021|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Jesse Holland}}
Notes
{{Reflist|1|group=nb}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | rows=2 | before=Second fight}}
{{s-ttl | title=Tyson Fury's bouts |years=9 October 2021}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Dillian Whyte}}
{{s-ttl | title=Deontay Wilder's bouts |years=9 October 2021}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Robert Helenius}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-bef
| before = Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = The Ring Fight of the Year
| years = 2021
}}
{{s-after
| after = Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan
}}
{{s-bef
| before = Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk
Round 5
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = The Ring Round of the Year
{{small|Round 4}}
| years = 2021
}}
{{s-after
| after = Sebastian Fundora vs. Erickson Lubin
Round 7
}}
{{s-end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Tyson Fury}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fury, Wilder III}}
Category:2021 in sports in Nevada
Category:October 2021 sports events in the United States
Category:Boxing matches at T-Mobile Arena
Category:World Boxing Council heavyweight championship matches
Category:Pay-per-view boxing matches
Category:Sports events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic