Boxer Deontay Wilder has congratulated opponent Tyson Fury for his victory that saw him retain the WBC heavyweight title Saturday night in Las Vegas. 

"Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in. Last but not least I would like to congratulate [Fury] for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever," Wilder said in a statement released Thursday.

This comes after Wilder appeared to tell Fury he did not respect him and would show him "no love" when Fury came over to his corner following the 11th-round TKO. 

"I went over to shake his hand and say well done and he was like "No, I don't respect you'," Fury said of Wilder in his post-fight news conference. 

Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) scored a finish over Wilder for the second straight time in their three bouts, but was knocked down twice before his finishing blow.

“It was a great fight,” Fury said. “It was worthy of any trilogy in the history of the sport. He’s a top fighter, and he gave me a real [test] tonight.”

Here is Wilder's full statement:

Wow, what a hell of a night! I would like to first and foremost thank God for allowing me to give the world another part of me that’s driven with passion and determination. I would like to thank my team and my fans for sticking by my side through this long process. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen. We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win. Although, I wanted the win I enjoyed seeing the fans win even more. Hopefully, I proved that I am a true Warrior and a true King in this sport. Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in. Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever.
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