When: Saturday October 8th, 2021
Where: T Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
By Minnie Larry
The third and final showdown between the Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury (31-0-1, 22Kos) and Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-2-1, 41Kos) finally came to a head in front of millions watching worldwide, and a sold-out crowd in attendance. The lead up to the event had not come without its share of controversies. From Fury dismissing the 3rd matchup for a more lucrative bout and a chance to unify the heavyweight championship with Anthony Joshua, to Wilder claiming his trainer, Mark Breland, acted in a conspiracy against him, there were plenty of side stories of note.
The eagerly awaited final fight of the trilogy did not disappoint. Wilder pressed the action in the 1st, illustrating the lessons learned from his new trainer Malik Scott. Jabs and Hooks to Fury’s body were the go-to punches for Wilder. He purposely avoided looping head shots. Wilder continued to move and land shots to Fury’s body maintaining his composure. However, in the 3rd round, Fury would come alive and land a right hand which sent Wilder to the canvas.
Wilder would recover and send Fury to the mat twice in the 4th round, but like before, Fury would rise. In round 5, Fury would begin to break down Wilder with a combination of punches and using his weight to wear Wilder down. By the 7th round, it looked like only a matter of time before Wilder would collapse due to exhaustion. In round 8, Wilders’ legs were jello, yet his perseverance was ever present.
Fury landed several punches which should have sent him packing, but the Bronze Bombers’ will did not let him fall. Round 9 and 10, saw Fury toying with Wilder, landing at will. Fury sent Wilder to the canvas again in round 10. Wilder would answer the count; however, the end was near. In round 11, Fury would land an uppercut and right hand which sent Wilder face first into the canvas. The referee wouldn’t leave Wilder’s health and protection to chance, stopping the fight at 1:10 in the 11th.
Undercard:
Two undefeated pugilists entered the ring, but only one victor left, as Efe Ajagba (15-1, 12KOs) took on Frank Sanchez (19-0, 13KOs) in a 10- round battle. By the top of the 3rd, each contender had landed less than 10 punches. Ajagba’s right eye became swollen and bloodshot red by the 5th. The slow-moving fight is technically sound, with both fighters considering each move. Sanchez went to the canvas late in the 6th. A replay shows the Ajagba jab didn’t cause the slippage. Some tense moments occurred when Ajagba ate a shot and was sent to the mat late in the 7th. Sanchez delivered a left hook after Ajagba’s knee hit the floor, but the fight continued after no count was given by referee Mike Ortega. Sanchez, “the Cuban Flash” got the UD win with scores of 97-92, 98-91, 98-91.
Wilder sparring partner, Robert Helenius (33-3, 19KOs) outmatched his Brooklyn opponent, Adam Kownacki (20-2, 15KOs) to seal a win. Kownacki’s left eye took a lickin’ and had closed by the end of the 2nd. Wobbled by Helenius, Kownacki sent his opponent into a praying position after he drove his punches downtown. Kownacki would receive a stern warning in the 3rd but wouldn’t stop his assault on the “Nordic Nightmare’s” nether regions. Referee Celestino Ruiz deducted a point from Kownacki at 2:19 of the 5th for the same infraction.
Referee Ruiz stopped the match after Kownacki delivered an additional low blow, disqualifying the Brooklyn Bruiser. Helenius received the TKO at 2:38 of the 6th.
The first fight of the night began and ended within 2:51 of the 2nd in an 8- round matchup. Vladimir Tereshkin (22-1-1, 12KOs) bounced against the ropes as undefeated Jared Anderson (10-0,10KOs) wailed against the outmatched southpaw. Referee Kenny Bayless called the bout to an end after Tereshkin could not answer the onslaught of straight lefts followed by the well documented Anderson right. Anderson received his 10th consecutive knockout via TKO.
