Established 1961 Sport MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 Brignone seizes Boult fired up as N Zealand Fernandes on the spot as 25World Cup lead 26 have India on the ropes 27 Man United climb to fifth Fury crushes Wilder in title rematch LAS VEGAS: Tyson Fury reigns again as a holding was barely a blip for a dominant Fury. warrior.” Wilder’s fierce punching power had heavyweight world champion after battering Two of the judges had the Briton winning been on full display when he knocked Fury Deontay Wilder to a stunning seventh-round every round, while the third judge gave one down twice in their first fight in Los Angeles stoppage in their World Boxing Council title round to Wilder. The 34-year-old American — the Briton miraculously climbing off the rematch. Fourteen months after their dramatic suffered his first defeat in 44 fights, falling to canvas in the 12th round to hang on for a split-decision draw, Britain’s Fury dominated 42-1 with 1 drawn and 41 knockouts. share of the spoils. the American champion — who had blood The “Bronze Bomber” was unable to sur- With new trainer Javan “Sugarhill” Steward dripping from his left ear and leaking from his pass Muhammad Ali’s record of 10 successful in his corner, and more than 16 pounds heav- mouth when referee Kenny Bayless called a heavyweight title defenses. “Even the greatest ier than the first encounter at 273 pounds, halt as Wilder’s corner threw in the towel. have lost and come back,” Wilder said. “I Fury was on the attack early, backing Wilder “The king has returned to the top of the make no excuses. This is what big-time boxing up with his jab and landing several hard shots throne,” said Fury, who had dropped Wilder in is all about.” in the opening round. the third and fifth rounds as he remained Fury regained a piece of the heavyweight Fury failed to produce the second-round unbeaten while handing Wilder the first defeat title more than four years after beating knockout he had predicted, but he was clearly of his career. The self-styled “Gypsy King” Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and in control. The fight, arguably the biggest from northern England — who was carried to WBO belts — and after depression, drink and heavyweight collision since Lennox Lewis the Las Vegas ring on a golden throne — had drug problems had threatened to end his bludgeoned Mike Tyson into submission on put on a boxing masterclass in their first fight career. “I just want to say a big shout out to the banks of the Mississippi River in 2002, on December 1, 2018, but he was clearly ready Deontay Wilder,” said Fury, who improved his drew a star-studded crowd. to brawl from the opening bell on Saturday. own unbeaten record to 30-0 with one drawn Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Patrick LAS VEGAS: British boxer Tyson Fury celebrates after defeating US boxer Deontay Wilder A massive right from Fury knocked down and 21 knockouts. “He manned up. He really Mahomes was ringside, so were Mark Davis, in the seventh round during their World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Wilder in the third leaving him on wobbly legs did show heart of a champion. owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and Championship Title boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. — AFP and although he went down again moments “I hit him with a clean right hand and Raiders coach John Gruden. Retired NBA later it was ruled a slip. dropped him, and he got back up and battled greats Magic Johnson and Jerry West were on A huge left to the body had Wilder down on into round seven. “He is a warrior, he will hand, as was current Golden State Warriors the spotlight. Top Rank president Todd in gate receipts generated by the Floyd again in the fifth, and Fury was raining blows be back, he will be champion again.” As the star Draymond Green. duBoef told ESPN that with gate receipts of Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao clash in 2015. on Wilder when Bayless called a halt at 1:39 of pro-Fury crowd of 15,816 at the MGM Grand Former heavyweight world champions $16.9 million Saturday’s fight broke the record But Wilder-Fury III would be another big the seventh round after one of Wilder’s corner cheered, Wilder briefly protested the stop- Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander for a heavyweight fight in Las Vegas, passing draw — and set the stage for a mega unifica- team hurled a white towel into the ring to save page. ‘A WARRIOR’ Holyfield were acknowledged in the ring the $16.8 million set by the title rematch tion fight against Britain’s Anthony Joshua, the him from further punishment. “I just wish that my corner would have let before the bout — a nod to the fact that box- between Lewis and Holyfield in 1999. WBA IBF and WBO champion, for the undis- A point deduction in the fifth round for me went out on my shield,” he said. “I’m a ing’s one-time glamour division was back in It’s a far cry from the record $72.2 million puted title. — AFP.