TYSON FURY contacted Deontay Wilder directly to capitalise on the breakdown in negotiations for a fight between the American and Anthony Joshua and persuade him he instead should be his next opponent.
The WBC heavyweight champion will next defend his title against Fury in Las Vegas in November. He travelled to Belfast to watch his rival defeat Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park on Saturday, after which they confirmed their fight.
Furyโs status as his latest challenger comes after lengthy negotiations for a unification showdown with Joshua ended in frustration and, it transpires, after Fury independently concluded he was already ready for what he considers his โhardest fightโ.
He returned after almost three years of inactivity on June 9 against the little-known Sefer Seferi and, despite then still being significantly above his fighting weight, he had already re-thought his initial plan to take several warm-up contests before challenging for a title.
An understanding exists between the pair, partly as a consequence of Fury revealing it was Wilder who helped inspire him to get into shape and return to the ring.
The American told Press Association Sport: โFury contacted me and we had a great conversation. This was Instagram, on June 22.
Bronze Bomber v Gypsy King coming soon to a tv near you. โI Promise you will feel an extreme amount of pain during and after I spark you outโ#BombZquad @Tyson_Fury pic.twitter.com/IczCvZONve
โ Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) August 18, 2018
โIn that conversation he was apologising to me, about the situation that had occurred (in not securing the Joshua fight) and he told me, โThey never wanted to fight youโ. That theyโd avoid me for as long as possible until (Joshuaโs trainer) Rob McCracken says heโs ready.
โHe said, โI promised you Iโd fight you โ letโs make this happen, itโll be the biggest fight in the worldโ.
โIโve always wanted the Tyson Fury fight. To finally get him, itโs a blessing. In our eyes heโs still the lineal champion, heโs undefeated.
Massive thanks & big respect to everyone who came & watch the fights last night. Great support.! Iโm humbled. pic.twitter.com/jCjnWHTWi5
โ DON TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 19, 2018
โHeโs still getting massive respect, heโs the man who beat the man. I canโt wait to meet the man that beat the man so when I beat the man I become the man, you understand?โ
Those that make the 32-year-old the favourite to defend his title do so partly because of the belief that Fury is rushing into such a dangerous fight so soon into his comeback, while further observers believe Wilder will struggle with the Britonโs awkward style.
Wilder is instead convinced that not only is Fury already ready to challenge him in a fight that he says is โmost definitelyโ bigger than one with Joshua, but that his stoppage of Cubaโs Luis Ortiz earlier this year provided the ideal preparation for a fighter with Furyโs strengths.
SEALED WITHOUT A KISS โ#WilderFury @Tyson_Fury @BronzeBomber pic.twitter.com/D12ZUO9NWE
โ Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) August 18, 2018
โHeโs well ready for it,โ he said. โHeโs in perfect shape โ probably the best shape of his life.
โIf heโd never been a champion Iโd have some concerns, but being a champion and knowing what it takes to beat a champion? No excuses. Being out for a long time? No excuses. Being out of shape? No excuses. People can always get back in shape. He still can fight.
โItโs just a different height. Ortiz is more experienced and been fighting just as long as Fury, if not longer. Heโs definitely got way more amateur experience; the Cubans, thatโs what they do.
โIโve knocked out one guy and now Iโm going for another. Iโm not going to be denied.โ