On a night with two major MMA cards, boxing took the spotlight Saturday night, with one of the biggest heavyweight cards the sport had managed to muster up in years. A rematch of their 2018 draw, Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury promised fireworks — and it certainly delivered.
Few saw it playing out exactly how it did, however. Fury, who switched trainers ahead of the fight, came in significantly heavier than his first meeting with Wilder, at 273lbs. He had promised to take the fight to Wilder, whose crushing right hand had become known as one of the most dangerous weapons in boxing.
That’s if you land it, of course. Thanks to Fury’s height, game plan, and tendency to wear his opponent down by leaning on him before piecing him up, Wilder didn’t really get the chance. Instead, he was knocked down a couple of times, beaten up and bloodied. Bleeding from the ear. Bleeding from the mouth. Blood Fury at one point tasted. Under fire in the seventh round and not answering back, Wilder’s corner finally decided enough was enough — and threw in the towel.
That gave Tyson Fury — who has flirted with the idea of a move to MMA — the TKO win. Along with The Ring and and WBC heavyweight titles, plus the lineal title.
With the MMA (and combat sports) world tuning in, see how your favorite fighters reacted below! Among those speaking out, Stipe Miocic — who appears down for a fight with Fury.
Enjoying a epic night of fights with my love! #WilderFury2 #ThanksChamp
mrsbigticket205
Photo cred: chrisuk013 @ MGM Grand Garden Arena https://t.co/8b1Vg8oEjg
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) February 23, 2020
Fury has been working that takedown defense!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) February 23, 2020
Wilder hurt bad!!
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) February 23, 2020
The Gypsy king in there like #FuryWilder2 pic.twitter.com/ISZ3YhgGLQ
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020
Did he just taste his fucking blood!?!!? 🤯
— Tracy Cortez (@TracyCortezmma) February 23, 2020
Wilder’s body language is concerning #WilderFury2
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 23, 2020
This isn’t fun to watch. This is a straight up battering! I respect Wilder so much, but it’s really hard to watch him not offer up any offense or defense. Fury looks like he can’t miss. Did Wilder not show up today, or is Fury just that much better? His ear…#WilderFury2
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 23, 2020
This is crazy how one sided this has been. #FuryWilder2
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) February 23, 2020
Prob the best fury we’ve seen right now
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 23, 2020
Good on the coaches to throw in the towel. Shows how much they care for their fighter. #FuryWilder2
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020
Wow. Fury won the first one. Now wins the second. What a fight. Boxing clinic he put on. The Gypsy King done it. Joshua awaits.#WildervsFury2
— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) February 23, 2020
Great fight 🥊 #TysonFury #WilderFury pic.twitter.com/MeDggYzz08
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) February 23, 2020
Let's make it happen #NgannouFury ☝️.#WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/p7x8zzhSmJ
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 23, 2020
THE GYPSY KINGGGG 👑!!!!!
You cant doubt him now!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 #WildervsFury2 #WilderFury2 https://t.co/uJLBxAsM9F
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 23, 2020
Wish I could invest in beer in Vegas and Manchester tonight 🍻
Congrats to @Tyson_Fury 🤜🏼🤛🏼— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 23, 2020
tyson fury is the best heavyweight boxer in the world.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) February 23, 2020
That was an absolute mauling. Congrats @Tyson_Fury #WildervsFury2
— Mike Trizano (@TheLoneWolfMMA) February 23, 2020
The ref made the right decision. Ear drum busted, no offense from his opponent, being knocked down a few times. Live to fight another day. Sometimes we have off nights and sometimes opponents are just better than us that night. #WilderFury2
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 23, 2020
Fury wins! Wilders team threw in the towel! Great corner protecting their fighter #wilder #WilderFury #WilderFury2
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) February 23, 2020
Gypsy king gets it done.
Is Fury the biggest heavyweight champ ever?
— Jon Fitch 🦍🐲🦏🍔 (@jonfitchdotnet) February 23, 2020
Flawless victory by Fury !! Wow !! 🥊 #WildervsFury2 #furyvswilder2 #boxing
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) February 23, 2020
That’s a wrap folksget that bread fury
— Kyle Prepolec (@KPrepolec) February 23, 2020
That was AWESOME
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) February 23, 2020
Next!
Fury beats AJ too don't @ me!#TysonFury
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2020
Canelo vs Fury, book it.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 23, 2020
Congrats @Tyson_Fury I’d love to sing Sweet Caroline in the ring. Let’s do this.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) February 23, 2020
Brought to you by Proper 12
Holy shit ! @TheNotoriousMMA just won !
— Olivier Aubin (@oliaubin) February 23, 2020
So excited! So honoured!
Thank you to all the fans of @ProperWhiskey!
Baby we did it!!!! ☘️ pic.twitter.com/V5liA7yV7g— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 22, 2020
