Fury beats Wilder: How the fight unfolded, how the boxing world reacted - and what happens next

Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas on Sunday morning in a quite-brilliant heavyweight fight, knocking out his opponent in the 11th round in Las Vegas.

Both fighters were knocked down - Fury twice in one round for the first time in his career - but kept going to produce a brilliant finale to this trilogy.

Here is how the fight played out, including reaction as the boxing world brands the fight one of the greatest of all-time.

How it unfolded

The ring walks

Wilder was first out, wearing a glittery, furry number.

Fury arrived in a Gladiator outfit. He walked slowly, imposingly to the strains of AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long, before de-gowning ahead of the heavyweight fight.

Round one

Fury and Wilder produced intense stares ahead of the first bell. Challenger Wilder started the brighter, working the body early on, before Fury produced a big right-hand in the final moments. Wilder raised his hands aloft as the bell rings after taking the first.
Wilder 10-9

Round two

The pair exchanged blows with the fight hotting up. The thousands watching gasp as both fighters threw big punches. Wilder swings a right-hand late on, but Fury edges a tight round.
Fury 10-9

Round three

Wilder looked to have lost a bit of his sharpness as the fight entered the third round, but the big right-hand came out with Wilder looking for a knockout. But Fury clung on before knocking Wilder down. It's the first big moment of the fight. The Bronze Bomber makes it to the bell and is saved by its arrival.
Fury 10-8

Round four

Wilder still looks a little woozy at the beginning of the round. But he lands a big right-hand on Fury, who is down! Fury steps back up but is knocked down for a second time. That was the danger. Fury relieved to find the bell. It's the first time Fury has been knocked down twice in a round.
Wilder 10-7

Round five

Now it is Wilder up against it. Wilder is very aggressive, but Fury lands huge right and Wilder's legs stiffen. They both look tired. Fury calls Wilder on. Big right from Fury, they are throwing them together, now a battle of heart and guts. Fury looking to tire Wilder.
Fury 10-9

Round six

The pair continue to land blows. What a fight this is. Fury slips and slides, bobs his head in and out before throwing a big right jab. Fury again on the front foot, Wilder on the ropes.
Fury 10-9

Round seven

Another big swing from Fury lands and Wilder, survives, just. But his legs are shaky. Fury has recovered well from round four. Fury's got him. Wilder turns his head after being hit. Crucially this time, 30 seconds to go in the round. Fury has the time to finish it in this round. Wilder survives to the bell somehow, but it's another to Fury.
Fury 10-9

Round eight

Fury is told to box his opponent by his corner, to set up the finish. Wilder needs a knockout. Fury again lands a big one and Wilder is wobbling, staggering around the right. Again he survives the round, but it's another to Fury.
Fury 10-9

Round nine

The doctor steps in to take a look before the round begins, the crowd jeering his arrival. He departs and the fight gets underway again. Now it's Wilder's turn to swing big and lands. Again, the thousands watching cheer as the challenger reminds Fury there's still a job to do. Fury goes up through the gears again. Both fighters are tired, Wilder looks completely done for. This time Wilder finishes the better, delivering a right uppercut.
Fury 10-9

Round ten

Fury lands again, a big'un. He's landing twice as many punches as Wilder at this stage of the fight. How the American is still standing is anyone's guess. Fury knocks Wilder down! It's a big one. The referee counts. Wilder continues, but that's a big blow. Fury goes for the finish. But again Wilder comes back at the finish, punching hard, to finish the better.
Fury 10-8

Round eleven

Wilder takes one punch too many and is knocked down again. It's over. Tyson Fury defends his title in one of the great heavyweight fights. Brilliant.
Fury wins

What the boxing experts are saying

Mark Kriegel, a boxing writer for ESPN, said that the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder trilogy was “as worthy as any in boxing history” and up with Ali-Frazier and above even Bowe-Holyfield.

“As a rule, nobody gets up after Wilder knocks him down,” he wrote. “But Fury -- the exception to all rules -- has now made a career of it. Here were three fights that broke every rule, every convention. Fury and Wilder will be remembered forever in tandem. They changed each other's lives. I was there for Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield. This was better.”

Ring Magazine, known as the bible of boxing, called it an “all-time breathtaking heavyweight epic” and “the obvious fight of the year so far”,

Writing in the New York Times, Emmanuel Morgan said that there could be no excuses this time for Deontay Wilder. “No trainer threw in the towel,” he wrote. “The exotic costume he wore wasn’t as heavy. No judge can award him another fight. For the second time in 20 months, Wilder tasted the devastating blows of Tyson Fury. Wilder’s body collapsed limp into the centre of the ring and the referee mercifully ended the bout.”

The New York Post said that the fight had “concluded one of the most memorable rivalries in recent boxing history, a trilogy featuring nine combined knockdowns and two remarkable displays of pugilistic tenacity”.

Fox Sports called it a “fight for the ages”.

Promoter Bob Arum, whose previous super-fights have included Marvin Hagler v Thomas Hearns and George Foreman v Evander Holyfield compared Tyson Fury to Muhammad Ali. “I have never, ever seen a heavyweight fight like this,” he said.

L’Equipe hailed Fury as ‘Le King’ and the champion was personally congratulated in his dressing-room by former undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis. “Unbelievable - great fight - you showed great heart, great resilience and great IQ,” said Lewis. Fury responded by saying: “He’s a strong guy. You can’t go swimming and not get wet. If you play with fire long enough you’ll get burnt.”

Andre Ward, the retired undefeated light-heavyweight champion, called it “a modern-day classic”.

There were also even words of praise from Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Great fight - big balls from both,” he said.

How did the boxing world react?

Tyson Fury

Frank Warren

David Haye

Lennox Lewis

Reaction from outside of boxing

What next?

Fury is likely to face Dillian Whyte in his next fight. Whyte faces Otto Wallin for the WBC heavyweight title and the boxing body has confirmed that the winner will face Fury.

Whyte has been the highest ranked contender for the belt since 2017 - and the title fight would, presumably, be pencilled in for the first half of 2022.

It would be a huge all-British fight, but not the one expected. Anthony Joshua will have a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated the British heavyweight last month. Eddie Hearn confirmed on Saturday night that will likely take place in March next year.