Deontay Wilder 'can't wait for Wilder-Fury 2' but Tyson Fury expects rival to avoid rematch 'at all costs'

American heavyweight world champion and British rival drew their epic fight in Los Angeles on Saturday, although many believe Fury was unlucky not to win

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury together after their world heavyweight title fight on Saturday in Los Angeles. Reuters

WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder remains convinced he won Saturday's fight against Tyson Fury and has said he "can't wait" for the rematch.

Wilder retained his title courtesy of a split draw, although most viewers of the fight, including past and present fighters, believe Fury was unfortunate not to win.

However, two knock downs - in the ninth round and the 12th, the latter of which looked to have earned Wilder a late stoppage before Fury somehow climbed off the canvas - was enough to earn the American at least a draw, according to two of the three ringside judges.

In a lengthy Instagram post thanking fans and organisers, Wilder reiterated his belief that he deserved the victory, suggesting the count in the 12th round was too long while saying he is keen for another showdown with Britain's lineal champion.

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"It was an amazing fight and I wanted nothing but greatness to come from this. The fight lived up to the hype more than ever," Wilder, 33, said.

"I take nothing away from this fight, but we won this fight. To beat the champion you must dominate the champ and to me I was the more aggressive fighter and landed the more [effective] punches.

"You saw the best Fury but you did not see the best Wilder and I still managed to get the job done.

"Did the count start 3-4 seconds too late, or was the count too long is the question many are asking and debating about. The [referee] Jack Reiss is an amazing ref [who] I've had the pleasure to work with on several occasions and he did a great job.

"At the end of the day, boxing wins. The fans are the real winners and I can't wait for Wilder-Fury 2."

Wilder's comments come hours after Fury said his American rival would try to avoid a rematch "at all costs".

Despite the controversy, it is Wilder who remains champion and he is expected to turn his attention to IBF, WBA, and WBO world champion Anthony Joshua for a unification fight.

After the bout, Wilder said he would prefer to target Joshua's titles in a bid to unify the division but would be satisfied with either a rematch against Fury or a chance to take on Joshua.

"I've got a funny feeling he's going to get his running shoes out and stay away from me at all costs," Fury told Britain's ITV network.

"I'm only getting better, and better and better. I can beat them all but they need to fight me. We need to give Britain the biggest fight in British boxing history and that's me and Joshua.

"Let's make it happen. The country wants it, I want it, everybody wants it. The only people who don't seem to want it is their team."

Wilder's trainer Jay Deas told BBC radio he would want Wilder to take on Fury again before a potential fight with Joshua.

"If it's something that people would like to see again we would absolutely love to do it. Both guys put on a tremendous fight," Deas said.

"If it was up to me, and only me, I would like to do the Fury fight first because I think there is unfinished business.

"If the money makes sense in the UK I would love to do it there. Deontay has never had a problem with travelling. That's not the issue at all."