Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 was the culmination of one of heavyweight boxing’s finest trilogies of recent years.
Their third meeting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday October, 2021 may well have been the best of their epic clashes. Both men in trouble, both men on the canvas, both men showing the heart of lions and then an epic knockout finish.
In the end it was Fury who prevailed for the second time in their trilogy, this time via an 11th-round knockout that saw him retain his WBC, Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight titles.
Quick Facts and Main Fight Report
Fury came into the trilogy with Wilder as a hot favourite after bullying the big-punching American to a one-sided defeat in their rematch in Las Vegas in February 2020.
In the early going it appeared as though we might have more of the same with Fury putting Wilder on the canvas in Round 3. Back came ‘The Bronze Bomber’ though with a pair of knockdowns of his own in Round 4. It was terrific stuff, wildly entertaining and the epitome of heavyweight boxing.
Wilder’s opportunity came and went in that fourth round though, never again would he have Fury in such trouble again. ‘The Gypsy King’ again showed astonishing powers of recovery – as he had in their first meeting in Los Angeles in late 2018. And he gradually turned the tide for good.
Wilder fought like a warrior to the end, but he was down again in the 10th and then finally stopped in the 11th as this great trilogy received a fitting climax.
Both men left the ring at T-Mobile Arena with their reputations enhanced by a truly great heavyweight title fight.
Essential fight report
How Fury vs Wilder 3 Came Together
Boxing politics are messy at the best of times, but the build-up to this fight had just about everything. At one stage the bout appeared to be off, with Fury moving on instead to sign contracts for a two-fight deal with Anthony Joshua.
Then came massive drama as Wilder won an arbitration ruling to force this trilogy fight, and Fury vs Joshua was made to wait again.
Key coverage and original reports
- Fury signs the contract for a third Wilder fight
- Frank Warren explains the arbitration ruling
- Fury discusses the cost of avoiding the Wilder trilogy
- Malik Scott responds to the fight postponement
Training Camps and Preparations
Wilder had a new trainer for this one, teaming up with his friend and former heavyweight fighter Malik Scott for the first time. Malik is now arguably more famous for being married to TV presenter Kate Abdo.
Fury meanwhile prepared once again with SugarHill Steward, this would be the second fight of their relationship – the first being that epic rematch win over Wilder in Vegas in early 2020.
The build-up was once again derailed when the fight – originally planned for July 24 – was put back again to October 9 due to a case of COVID in the Fury camp.
Key coverage and original reports
- Wilder discusses his training camp for Fury III
- Wilder and Malik Scott prepare for the trilogy
- Wilder says he will not return to old habits
- Fury enters training camp for the third fight
- Wilder discusses his power before the trilogy
- Malik Scott issues a warning to Fury
Predictions, Tactics and Pre-Fight Controversy
Fury was a strong favourite going into this one – he clearly held all the aces from a boxing perspective, and a size perspective. He had absolutely bullied and dominated Wilder in the rematch.
The only note of caution for Fury again would be that massive right hand from Wilder. He had ‘The Gypsy King’ on the floor twice in their first meeting in 2018, and he would do so again in the trilogy.
Key coverage and original reports
- Teddy Atlas analyses Fury vs Wilder III
- Carl Frampton assesses Wilder’s punching power
- Frank Warren analyses the trilogy match-up
- Pre-fight odds for Fury vs Wilder III
- Wilder’s pre-fight comments about Fury
Press Conferences, Weigh-In and Fight Week
The first press conference to announce the fight was a beauty – featuring a staredown which lasted for more than six minutes with Wilder unwilling to break away. The tension was unreal.
That was an apparent holdover from the rematch, where Wilder had produce some wild accusations about Fury in the aftermath.
Key coverage and original reports
- Original Fury vs Wilder III press conference
- Fury responds to Wilder’s press-conference silence
- Fury reacts to Wilder’s staredown
- Final fight-week press conference
- Official Fury vs Wilder III weigh-in
- Wilder’s ring-walk costume plans
Fight Night: Result, Knockdowns and Undercard
The undercard featured another big heavyweight showdown in its own right with slick Cuban Frank Sanchez advertising his own claims for a future world title shot with an impressive decision win over Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba.
Key coverage and original reports
- Fury vs Wilder III undercard and supporting fights
- Sanchez vs Ajagba results, scorecards and analysis
More Build-Up and Last-Minute Developments
This fight was a great one, but the build-up might have been just as wild.
From the Fury vs Joshua twist, to the COVID postponement, the saga dragged on for months. But it was always entertaining.
Key coverage and original reports
- Original July 2021 fight date announced
- WBC confirms Fury vs Wilder III postponement
- Frank Warren discusses the October date
- Wilder responds to Fury’s dangerous-fighter comments
- Wilder’s silence before the trilogy
Fury vs Wilder 3: Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Fury vs Wilder 3?
Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder by knockout in round 11.
When was Fury vs Wilder 3?
The fight took place on 9 October 2021 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How many knockdowns were there?
Five in total: Wilder was knocked down three times and Fury twice.
Related Tyson Fury Guides
For more context, see Tyson Fury’s professional boxing record.
