Deontay Wilder insists Tyson Fury is the fight he’s always wanted

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.

Furyโ€™s 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 โ€œhardest fightโ€.

@bronzebomber donโ€™t know what he is in for! Canโ€™t wait

A post shared by Tyson Fury (@gypsyking101) on


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: โ€œFury contacted me and we had a great conversation. This was Instagram, on June 22.

โ€œIn that conversation he was apologising to me, about the situation that had occurred (in not securing the Joshua fight) and he told me, โ€˜They never wanted to fight youโ€™. That theyโ€™d avoid me for as long as possible until (Joshuaโ€™s trainer) Rob McCracken says heโ€™s ready.

โ€œHe said, โ€˜I promised you Iโ€™d fight you โ€“ letโ€™s make this happen, itโ€™ll be the biggest fight in the worldโ€™.

โ€œIโ€™ve always wanted the Tyson Fury fight. To finally get him, itโ€™s a blessing. In our eyes heโ€™s still the lineal champion, heโ€™s undefeated.


โ€œHeโ€™s still getting massive respect, heโ€™s the man who beat the man. I canโ€™t 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 Britonโ€™s awkward style.

Wilder is instead convinced that not only is Fury already ready to challenge him in a fight that he says is โ€œmost definitelyโ€ bigger than one with Joshua, but that his stoppage of Cubaโ€™s Luis Ortiz earlier this year provided the ideal preparation for a fighter with Furyโ€™s strengths.

โ€œHeโ€™s well ready for it,โ€ he said. โ€œHeโ€™s in perfect shape โ€“ probably the best shape of his life.

โ€œIf heโ€™d never been a champion Iโ€™d 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.

โ€œItโ€™s just a different height. Ortiz is more experienced and been fighting just as long as Fury, if not longer. Heโ€™s definitely got way more amateur experience; the Cubans, thatโ€™s what they do.

โ€œIโ€™ve knocked out one guy and now Iโ€™m going for another. Iโ€™m not going to be denied.โ€

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