Deontay Wilder acknowledged that Tyson Fury’s tactics prevailed on Saturday night as the WBC champion retained his title.
In a rare trilogy match for a world heavyweight title, Wilder was stopped in the 11th round in a fight that both contenders will feel they had their chances to win.
Ultimately it was the bigger man, Fury, who emerged victorious, and Wilder admitted he was second best.
“I did my best, but it wasn’t good enough tonight,” said Wilder, after the fight.
“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.”