Lewis Hamilton has praised Tyson Fury's knockout victory over Deontay Wilder on Saturday night in Las Vegas, despite the two having beef earlier in the year.
As the Gypsy King got off the canvas twice to stop the Alabaman in round 11 at the T-Mobile Arena, Fury retained his WBC crown and will now wait for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua to determine his opponent for a much-anticipated unification bout next year.
However, he may have to see off Dillian Whyte before he sets his sights on said unification clash.
Putting on arguably the best heavyweight fight over the past 30 years, compatriot Hamilton has paid credit to Fury for his thrilling win, saying, as per talkSPORT: “You can’t deny the Fury.
“He’s worked through all the lows to remain on top."
Hamilton was glowing in his assessment of his fellow Brit, despite Fury's own rather stinging jabs in his direction earlier this year.
When the Wythenshawe fighter spoke to the Daily Mail back in July - shortly after his trilogy fight had been delayed after testing positive for COVID-19 - the 33-year-old spoke of his frustrations at a lack of recognition in the UK for his achievements, making specific reference that he 'pays tax unlike Lewis Hamilton.'
Despite Fury's barbed comments, Hamilton, embroiled in his own pitched battle with Max Verstappen this season in F1, seemingly holds no ill feeling to Fury, further noting the similar sacrifices he has made to return to the top.
No matter what he’s said about me, I have huge respect for the work and commitment and sacrifice it takes to be number one.
“Congrats champ, blessings to you and your family. Enjoy this time, you’ve earned it.”
As both men stand atop their respective sports, should Hamilton go on to make history this season as the first driver to win eight world titles, it remains to be seen if Fury will be repaying the compliment.
We suspect not.