British boxer Tyson Fury retained his WBC heavyweight crown after a thrilling 11th-round knockout against American rival Deontay Wilder. ‘The Gypsy King’ was twice floored in the fourth round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but ended the fight with one final right hook to Wilder’s ear. The triumph extended Fury’s undefeated professional record to 32 fights and finished the three-bout series against Wilder with two wins and a draw.

Fury knocks out Wilder to retain WBC and Lineal Heavyweight title

“I was down a couple of times, I was hurt, Wilder is a strong puncher,” said Fury.

“It was a great fight. I will not make any excuses, Wilder is a top fighter, he gave me a run for my money. I always say I am the best fighter in the world and he is the second best.

“He caught me twice in the fourth round, but I was never thinking, ‘Oh, this is over,'” Fury said. “He shook me, put me down, but that’s boxing, and that’s life as well. It’s not how many times you get knocked down. You’ve got to keep fighting and keep moving forward.”

“Don’t ever doubt me. When the chips are down I can always deliver.”

Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder III: A look at the heavyweight rivalry

Fury has no doubt as to who is the greatest heavyweight of his era.

“I have proved time and again that I can never be written off,” he added. “I didn’t have my best performance but I pulled it out of the bag when it needed to be done.

“He did keep getting up but it was that final right hand to the side of the head that finished him.

“I wasn’t hurt. You get hit, you wake up on the floor. I got up and was very conscious the whole time. I was one punch away from knocking him out in the whole fight.

“I am the greatest heavyweight champion of my era, without a doubt. Number one. If you play with fire long enough you will get burned.”