Tyson Fury claims he is the “greatest heavyweight of my era” after Wilder victory

"I have proved time and again that I can never be written off"

Tyson Fury has claimed he is the "greatest heavyweight of my era" after he defended his WBC heavyweight title in emphatic fashion against Deontay Wilder. The 33-year-old floored Wilder in the 11th round to win the fight after an intense week of build-up to the much-anticipated fight and even though the 'Gypsy King' felt he wasn't at his best, he proved that there is nobody better than him in the heavyweight world.

"I have proved time and again that I can never be written off," said Fury.

"I didn't have my best performance but I pulled it out of the bag when it needed to be done.

"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."

The fight brought to an end a thrilling trilogy of fights between Fury and Wilder, with the former the winner in two of the three bouts between the heavyweights.

Their first fight ended as a controversial draw before the second ended in a Fury victory in which the fight was stopped in the seventh round.

After falling to defeat in Las Vegas, American Wilder admitted that he wasn't up to standards on the night.

He said: "I'm not sure what happened. "I know that in training he did certain things, and I also knew that he didn't come in at 277lbs to be a ballet dancer.

"He came to lean on me, try to rough me up and he succeeded."

Fury meanwhile admitted that before he thinks about any future fights, he is going to sit back and enjoy his win.

He said: "Before I start thinking about fighting other men I will bask in this victory. This was one of my greatest wins. I got off the floor to do it. I am the big dog in the division."

Related links:

• WATCH: Video of Fury Wilder KO shows brutal final punch from new angle
• Fury accuses Wilder of not wanting to show respect after knockout win
• Deontay Wilder taken to hospital after suffering brutal KO against Tyson Fury