Tyson Fury has seemingly reached the endpoint of his glorious professional boxing career. The reigning WBC heavyweight champion just marked his second title defense with a dominating victory over Dillian Whyte last weekend and has hinted at a forthcoming retirement, and “The Gypsy King” wants his former adversary Deontay Wilder to fight for the coveted green and gold belt when it becomes vacant.
Deontay Wilder, currently ranked at no 1 by the WBC, had been the sanction body’s heavyweight champion for five years and across ten title defenses, until Tyson Fury came along. After an adrenaline-rushing draw in their first encounter in 2018, Fury handed Wilder his first career defeat, as well as snatched the WBC belt away in the grudge rematch in February 2020.
The grudge rivalry between the two elite pugilists came to conclusion in October last year when Fury defeated Wilder for the second time in their rematch which took place in Las Vegas.
Deontay Wilder doesn’t get the credit he deserves: Tyson Fury
Fury, coming off of a superb 6th round TKO victory over former interim WBC champion Whyte on 23rd April at the Wembley Arena, has been addressing Wilder as the second best fighter in the division and in a recent interview with Behind The Gloves, the Briton said Wilder should fight for the WBC title when Fury vacates it.
“I’d like to see Deontay Wilder fight whoever for it again,” Fury said in the interview, “I don’t know how that’s even possible [that Wilder is ranked at number 1 by the WBC]. He’s lost three fights in a row and still number 1-rated. But that’s up to them.”
While questioning Wilder’s no 1 rank, Fury did point out that the American has equalled the legendary Muhammad Ali’s record number of ten title defenses, as well as beating Vitali Klitschko’s record of nine.
“One thing, [though], Deontay made ten title defenses, more than anybody else. He equaled Muhammad Ali’s record [of defenses], beat Vitali Klitschko’s record [of defenses], [he] doesn’t get the credit he deserves. And I do believe he’s still the second-best heavyweight in the world, Deontay Wilder. I believe he knocks everybody else out but me,” added Fury. [H/T Boxingscene.com]
Highlights:
- Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion wants Deontay Wilder to contest for the belt when he vacates it
- Fury, who recently defeated Dillian Whyte, has been talking about retirement from boxing
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