Maxboxing 2021 Fight of the Year: Tyson Fury KO 11 Deontay Wilder

In a sense, it was the fight that nobody wanted.

Their first fight was a controversial draw. The second, a definitive knockout victory for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury over Deontay Wilder.

A third was discussed and ignored by the masses, excluding Wilder. The man of many excuses wanted one more go-around with Fury. A judge agreed, granting Wilder the fight and killing a potential blockbuster bout between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Fury entered their third fight favored substantially. Both weighed more and predicted a knockout.

Something had to give.

It did.

Fury got up from two knockdowns to floor Wilder three times - retaining his title in a wild heavyweight shootout filled with surprises.

The bout started fast. Most expected it to be Fury, but instead, it was Wilder jabbing to the body. Fury, on his back foot, assessed the situation. He seemed to be saying to himself, "Who is this guy?." But there was no panic in the big brit.

Wilder continued to score in round two. Fury clipped Wilder with a right to the side. Both fighters landed long right-hand punches. In the next stanza, Fury used feints and scored with rights. Wilder fought back with his favorite blow, the right. Fury countered with a short inside right that deposited Wilder on all fours. He got up at five. Fury nailed him with an uppercut near the end of the heat. Wilder wobbled. The fight appeared over.

Wrong.

Fury sent Wilder back with a left to the head in round four. Wilder fought back with shots on the inside. Fury went to the body. Wilder unleashed a hard right that spun the champion to the canvas. Fury pulled himself as Wilder tried to end things. A short right off the noggin put Fury down for a second time. Fury again beat the count but looked shocked.

Wilder searched for a knockout in round five. Fury boxed and slugged. Wilder landed, but Fury took it well. He kept pumping his left in round six. Wilder paused and threw his heat-seeking right. Fury knocked his head sideways with a jab.

A right-hand buzzed Wilder in round seven. Each fighter worked the body.

Wilder ate a right. Fury hurt him again with an uppercut.

In round eight, Wilder was gasping for air. Two Fury rights wobbled him. He fought back. Gutsy. Fury looked fresher, but Wilder was still punching. Fury clipped Wilder with a left hook in round nine. Wilder dug deep and let two shots go. One landed.

He almost ended matters in round 10. After Wilder went to the body, Fury landed a wicked one-two. Wilder let go with a few blows that missed. Fury countered with a right to the ear. Down went Wilder. He was up at six. Wilder somehow found the strength to fight back, but Fury clipped him with hooks. Fury went for the kill, but again Wilder backed up and fought back, hurting Fury with counter potshots.

Early in round 11, Fury connected with two rights and an uppercut while Wilder languished on the ropes. One more sweeping blow collapsed Wilder on his side.

Referee Russell Mora waved the fight off as Wilder struggled to get up.

So there you have it. The fight nobody wanted surpassed expectations - gaining admiration and respect for both gladiators. So for that, Tyson Fury’s KO of Deontay Wilder is the Maxboxing 2021 Fight of the Year.