Tyson Fury Wins Heavyweight Classic and Mitchell Wins in England

(Published Oct.10, 2021)

By Uppercut Magazine

Is there any argument about why heavyweights are so popular?

England’s Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) hammered American Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) down for a final knockdown in the 11^th round to retain the WBC heavyweight title after a heavyweight fight that ranks among the best in this century at least.

If you know the history of heavyweight boxing, the battle between English and American heavyweights goes back to the early 1800s when Britain’s Tom Sayers and America’s John C. Heenan met in a prize ring at Famborough near London on April 1860. Ironically, it ended in a draw.

One hundred and seventy-eight years later Fury and Wilder first met at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and after 12 turbulent rounds, their first fight ended in a draw.

A second and third clash between the Englishman and American saw Fury win by knockout. None of the fights were easy victories and all three fights were classics with knockdowns galore.

Las Vegas saw Fury finally decide the true superior fighter with a decisive bludgeoning in the 11^th round with an overhand right that plunged a tired Wilder down for a final knockdown. Referee Russell Mora watched Wilder hit the floor and immediately signaled the fight over at the 1:10 mark.

Fury retains the WBC title and for many, a real claim as the best heavyweight in the world. Apologies to Oleksander Usyk who recently defeated Anthony Joshua for the WBA, WBO and IBF versions.

Throughout heavyweight history the clash between heavyweights who held or formerly held the world title have almost always shown dogged grit and determination worthy of the world’s attention. This fight did not disappoint to deliver on those lofty expectations.

Years from now when comparing it to other great encounters like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, or Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, this fight will also stand on comparable grounds.

It was a classic.

Bantamweights in Britain

The female WBC bantamweight title fight saw an American Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2, 4 KOs) wrest the title from England’s Shannon Courtenay (6-2, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 9, in Liverpool, England.

Courtenay failed to make the 118-pound weight limit and was unable to be eligible to keep the belt in her first title defense, but she was also unable to keep Mitchell from taking it. But she tried mightily.

Mitchell, a Los Angeles native, was able to outwork Courtenay over 10 rounds and convince the judges that she was the superior fighter. The American bantamweight walked out of the arena by majority decision and with the WBC title.

(Photo by Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions)