Boxing: Draw against Tyson Fury! Deontay Wilder remains champion

It was expected be the biggest heavyweight duel of the past few years - but in the end both opponents were dissatisfied in the ring.

The verdict was a draw in the championship fight between the professional boxers Deontay Wilder from the United States and Tyson Fury from Great Britain. 115:111 for Wilder, 114:112 for Fury and 113: 113 was the judge's verdict on Saturday night (local time) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

There was no winner, but one winner: Wilder retains the title of World Boxing Council (WBC). "I have won. I put pressure on him and hit him well, "said the 33-year-old defending champion and could not understand the verdict.

"I won," Fury contradicted, announcing a rematch. "I'm sure we're going to show a great show there." The 20-kilogram lighter American agreed: "Wherever the money is, I'm in." The 2.06-meter-tall Fury, however, wants his fellow countryman and world champion Anthony Joshua first (WBO, IBF, WBA Super).

Like almost all his opponents, Wilder wanted to force the 116-kilo colossus Fury prematurely to its knees. 39 of his 40 fights were won through knockouts. That seemed to work. Fury was down twice: in the ninth round after a right hook, in the twelfth round after a left hook. He was counted both times. "I have seen his eyes roll. I thought it was over, "Wilder said. First, the points of Canadian referee Robert Tapper were falsely counted as 114: 110 for Fury and announced. The score was later corrected to 114: 112.

Challenger Fury was lighter-footed, more agile despite size and weight and showed some successful combinations. The "Bronze Bomber", as Wilder is called, relied on single strikes, but initially did not hit the often-crouched Englishman decisively.

For the British, the World Cup comeback three years after winning the title against Wladimir Klitschko is still a success. Drug abuse and doping cost him boxing license and world title (WBO, IBF, WBA Super). Depression and alcohol excesses followed and drove him to the brink of suicide, he later claimed.

After two moderate struggles, the duel against Wilder was the first serious test. After the fight, Fury again practiced his showmaster skills. In the well-filled press room he tuned the song "American Pie" and the audience sang along.