TYSON FURY is who Deontay Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, would like to see his charge fight next following their controversial draw at the Los Angeles Staples Center.
Much of the talk in the post-fight press conference was that Anthony Joshua – and not Fury – could be next for the WBC heavyweight champion.
Wilder held on to his title after dropping Fury heavily in the final round.
“I didn’t think he was behind going into the last round but people were saying it, so of course I was concerned,” admitted Finkel, while talking to Boxing News.
Joshua and Wilder’s teams were involved in long negotiations in the summer. They blamed each other for the fight not happening but Finkel insisted he will talk to Eddie Hearn should he call.
Finkel is not waiting by the phone, though.
“I don’t think Joshua wants my guy, I don’t think he’s as good a boxer as Fury is. I think he can punch but I think he knows, that at any time, Deontay can take you out.
“I thought he had Fury out in the last round. But it shows that Fury has big balls and I went over to him after and I said, just before the decision was announced, ‘No matter what the decision is, you’re something else’. I have to give Fury that credit.
“I also think Deontay did not fight the way we planned, or the way he could have. You could see it. But he felt he could just knock him out. You just don’t fight that way against Tyson Fury.”
With that in mind, it follows that Wilder and his team may seek a money-spinning unification bout with WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua instead of risking losing to Fury in the return.
“I think Wilder will knock out Fury next time,” Finkel said. “I don’t think he will do these wild things. It was his first big fight, he would be more contained next time. I was concerned yesterday after the weigh-in that Wilder was pumped up. I had those concerns, but I am certain it would be different next time.
So who would Finkel rather Wilder fights next. Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury?
“I’d like Fury. I’d like the Fury rematch for my guy.”