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'Thought he was dead': Tyson Fury stuns world with miracle recovery

Joey Riordan

Tyson Fury has shocked the world after bouncing back to the canvas despite looking like he’d been punched into a coma in the final round of one of the most incredible boxing fights of all time.

The 30-year-old British boxer (27-0-1) produced a breathtaking and courageous performance to earn a draw against Deontay Wilder (40-0-1) in the WBC heavyweight championship fight on Sunday (AEDT), however most thought he did enough to win the dazzling encounter.

Fury had appeared to be well in control throughout the fight, using his superior movement and skill to keep his opponent missing, however that all changed in the 12th round when the dangerous Wilder produced a trademark moment.

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How did he get up! Tyson Fury bounces up from the canvas despite the brutal knock down. Pic: Showtime
How did he get up! Tyson Fury bounces up from the canvas despite the brutal knock down. Pic: Showtime

The big American landed a booming right to the temple of Fury with only a couple of minutes remaining in the bout, and followed it up with a vicious left – leaving Fury crashing to the floor and the 17,698 in attendance at Staples Center, Los Angeles, thinking Wilder had surely won it.

Fury however had other ideas.

Wilder drops Fury during the WBC Heavyweight Champioinship match. Pic: Getty
Wilder drops Fury during the WBC Heavyweight Champioinship match. Pic: Getty

Inexplicably, he awoke midway through referee Jack Reiss’ 10 count and sprung to his feet, doing just enough to convince the official he could safely continue and blowing the minds of fight fans worldwide.

Wilder’s reaction was the most hilarious of the night, as the power-puncher quickly realised his opponent was superhuman after briefly dancing away in celebration.

Fury managed to see out the remaining two minutes of the bout, leaving the decision in the hands of the judges.

Typically, there was plenty of controversy around their decisions with Fury not being awarded the points decision, despite appearing to outbox his American opponent for most of the rounds.

In the end, it wound up a split draw. One judge had it 113-113. Another had it 115-111 for Wilder, while the other had it 114-112 for Fury.

Most experts, including the Showtime and BT Sports judges, had the fight convincingly to Fury.

The WBC heavyweight title remained around Wilder’s waist in the entertaining battle between two of the division’s best.

Fury was clearly perplexed at the decision, but remained jovial as he responded to the furore.

“We’re on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight,” Fury said.

“I’m being a total professional here. I went to Germany to fight [Wladimir] Klitschko and I went to America to fight Deontay Wilder. God bless America. The ‘Gypsy King’ has returned.”

Tyson Fury somehow gets up during the WBC Heavyweight Champioinship at Staples Center. Pic: Getty
Tyson Fury somehow gets up during the WBC Heavyweight Champioinship at Staples Center. Pic: Getty

Wilder meanwhile appeared ecstatic with the decision, but did make a pretty compelling argument that he had won the fight.

“I think with the two knockdowns, I definitely won the fight,” Wilder said.

“We poured our hearts out tonight. We’re both warriors, but with those two drops I think I won the fight. I came out slow. I rushed my punches. I didn’t sit still. I was too hesitant. I started overthrowing the right hand and I just couldn’t adjust.”

The pair shared a nice moment after the brutal bout. Pic: Getty
The pair shared a nice moment after the brutal bout. Pic: Getty

Now, talk of a rematch is understandably dominating, with both fighters apparently keen to go toe-to-toe again.

“One hundred per cent we’ll do the rematch,” Fury said.

“We are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.”