Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder: Referee Jack Reiss defends his decision to let fight continue, slamming ‘knuckleheads’ who claimed 10-second count was too long
Following the heavyweight showdown, Deontay Wilder posted footage on social media which he claimed proved that Tyson Fury didn't make the 10-second count
Respected boxing referee Jack Reiss has defended his decision to let Tyson Fury continue after Deontay Wilder brutally knocked him down in the twelve round of their thrilling heavyweight title contest.
Reiss has received worldwide praise for his handling of the incident, which could have resulted in the end of the fight on another day.
Speaking with Sirius XM Boxing Radio, Reiss explained the thinking behind his decision - which turned out to be the correct one - as Fury miraculously stepped up from the canvas to finish the fight after the brutal left-right combo from Wilder.
He said: “If there was earlier, heavy damage and he had been hurt or if there was a history in the fight that he was really getting knocked around and then he fell like that and hit his head, I would have waved it off.
"But the fight was so close. The magnitude of the fight, being a heavyweight championship fight, I’ve always been taught to count a champion out."
And Reiss hit back at critics who suggested Fury missed the 10-second count following the knock down, after Deontay Wilder posted a video which he claimed proved just that occurred.
"I wanted to give him every opportunity so I took my time - I told them before the fight I would do that. Not that I stalled the count like these knuckleheads are saying.
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"I was just patient and I went down to make sure what I was doing was correct because I want to do what’s best for boxing."
Addressing the knockdown Fury praised Reiss' judgement, while admitting he still doesn't know how he managed to get up.
Fury stated: “How I got back up, I really don’t know.
"I was sound asleep on the floor. All of a sudden, I opened my eyes and I jumped up.
“But he (Reiss) had said to me (in the dressing room), ‘if you get knocked down, I won’t stop the fight’.
"He said, ‘I’ll tell you to step to the left and step to the right. If you can do that and you tell me you’re alright then I won’t stop the fight’.
“And then when he asked me if I was alright, I said ‘yes’. He told me to go the left, I went to the left. Then he told me to go to the right, I went to the right.
“He also said, being the most experienced referee in America, he said, ‘if you’re not capable, then I’ll stop the fight. But if you can continue I won’t.”
The bout ended in a controversial draw, although Fury had appeared to have done more than enough to win the contest - despite being knocked down twice by the WBC champion.