Tyson Fury dominates Deontay Wilder in heavyweight championship rematch

February 23, 2020 at 6:24AM
Tyson Fury, of England, lands a right to Deontay Wilder during a WBC heavyweight championship boxing match Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Tyson Fury landed a right to Deontay Wilder during their WBC heavyweight championship match Saturday in Las Vegas. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tyson Fury is a heavyweight champion once again, dominating Deontay Wilder in their title rematch Saturday night before Wilder's corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.

A boxer in their first fight, Fury went on the attack in the rematch and knocked Wilder down twice before a flurry of punches in the seventh prompted his corner to call an end to the highly anticipated rematch.

Fury dropped Wilder in the third round with a right hand that seemed to take the legs out of the champion. He put him down again in the fifth round, this time with a left hand to the body.

The end came at 1:39 of the seventh round when referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight after Wilder's corner threw in the towel as he was getting pummeled in a neutral corner.

It was the first loss for Wilder in 44 fights, and it came in the 11th defense of the title he won in 2015.

Fury stalked Wilder almost from the opening bell, using his jab to control the early rounds. He won every round on the scorecard of the Associated Press and was in total command of the fight when it ended.

Wilder briefly protested the stoppage, as a pro-Fury crowd at the MGM Grand hotel roared in delight.

Fury had bulked up to 273 pounds for the rematch, vowing to change tactics and become the big puncher. He was true to his word, dominating early with a jab that stopped Wilder in his tracks and then landing combinations to the head and body.

The rematch drew a sellout crowd that set a record of more than $17 million for the live gate. Both fighters were guaranteed $5 million but could make $40 million apiece.

golf

Van Rooyen trails by one

Justin Thomas shot a 6-under 65 go give him a one-shot lead over Patrick Reed and former Gophers golfer Erik van Rooyen of South Africa in the Mexico Championship.

Thomas was at 15-under 198 in the tournament that he lost in a playoff two years ago.

Jon Rahm, who started the third round 10 shots out of the lead, shot a course-record 61 to close to just four shots behind.

Van Rooyen didn't flinch, not when first-round leader Bryson DeChambeau got off to a hot start, not while trying to keep pace with Thomas and Reed. Van Rooyen had a 67, highlighted by his fourth chip-in of the week and driving the 379-yard second hole in high altitude to about 12 feet for eagle.

Rory McIlory shot 68 and was tied with Rahm and DeChambeau (70).

... PGA Tour rookie Viktor Hovland shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the windy Puerto Rico Open. Josh Teater was two strokes back.

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