Boxing

Heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury thanks 'Lord and Savior Jesus Christ' after TKO of Deontay Wilder

By Kevin Mercer Feb 24, 2020
Tyson Fury, left, fights Deontay Wilder. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

This time, Tyson Fury (30-0-1) left no doubt as he stripped Deontay Wilder (42-1-1) of the WBC title belt in dominant fashion Saturday night in Las Vegas. The pair of undefeated heavyweight boxers previously fought to a wild and controversial draw in December 2018.

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Yet on Saturday, Fury controlled the much-anticipated rematch from the first bell. Wilder’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel in the seventh round.

The defensive-minded Fury was the aggressor all night against the notoriously hard-hitting Wilder. At 6-foot-9, 254 pounds, the taller and heavier Fury used his superior size to wear down Wilder and drop the former champion to the canvas twice.

“I just want to say a big shout out to Deontay Wilder,” the Briton said shortly after the fight. “He came here tonight, he manned up and he really did show the heart of a champion … He is a warrior, he will be back and he will be a champion again.”

Ever the showman, Fury entertained the crowd from start to finish. He arrived at the ring while being carried on a throne, in reference to his “Gypsy King” nickname. Then after the fight, the British boxer concluded his interview with a rendition of “American Pie” to the delight of the audience.

Considering the valleys Fury has traversed in his life and career, a celebration is certainly in order.

Fury, 31, became the world heavyweight champion in November 2015 when he upset Wladimir Klitschko for three world titles. Yet after that fight, Fury’s life took a turn for the worst.

His mental health deteriorated quickly. He said he was depressed and had lost all motivation to fight and to train. He gained a lot of weight, battled through drug and alcohol abuse and nearly attempted suicide. Fury was out of boxing for 31 months as he sought help for his struggles. He returned to the ring in 2018 with a focus on reclaiming his spot near the top of the boxing world.

Fury credits his Christian faith with helping him to turn from suicide. Fury has also been known to thank Jesus after fights since his triumphant return to boxing. He took the opportunity Saturday night to do so again:

“First and foremost, I want to say ‘thank You’ to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Fury said. “I said those who bring evil against me will not prosper. I said those who stand in the dark can never come into the light. All praise be to the one and only true God, Jesus Christ.”

Fury also has been known to speak about his faith on his social media accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8COLpDpgmO/?igshid=f3161gysgoan

Many boxing fans are expecting a potential third Fury-Wilder bout, but no fight has been set yet.

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