Fury pokes fun at Wilder’s ego

Tyson Fury resumed his mind games, declaring himself better known in the United States than Alabaman Deontay Wilder, with whom he contests the World Boxing Council crown in Los Angeles on December 1.

Fury, the challenger, said: ‘‘I was in camp and a guy came over and said the Wladimir Klitschko fight was a great fight, and asked me what I was doing over here. I said I was training to fight Deontay Wilder. He said, ‘Who’s that guy?’ I told him he was the American world heavyweight champion. He didn’t know him.

‘‘Deontay Wilder? Who? I believe Deontay’s thinking he needs to defeat me to give himself some gratification. And what better time to do it when he thinks I’m at my lowest?’’

Fury, at his training camp in the Hollywood Hills where he has linked with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, went on: ‘‘If I didn’t think I could defeat Deontay Wilder, I wouldn’t be here. I live in a nice house, I’ve got a beautiful family. But if we had to move out of that house into a trailer and have nothing, I would prefer to do that than to go into this fight just for money knowing I can’t win.’’

Having transferred down from altitude training Big Bear, Fury is enjoying the limelight in Los Angeles, where the media and the fans have taken to him.

‘‘I think Americans love the comeback story, and my story has captured the imagination of the public – because it’s almost like a fairytale story.

‘‘I went from rags to riches, back to rags. I suffered with depression, contemplated suicide, lost everything I ever had and worked hard for. To then turn my life around again and get back to the pinnacle of the sport within a year, it’s a compelling story.’’

Fury revealed that he and Wilder had almost come to blows on their media tour in London, New York and Los Angeles.

‘‘People say it was acting, but when two unbeaten champions are face to face, both with a point to prove, calling each other names, you only need one shove too many and it’s off. We’re fighters. It was heated for the three days and I was exhausted afterwards.’’

Fury says of Wilder: ‘‘I respect him as a fighter and a man. I don’t need to dislike him. He does seem to be an angry man, though, doesn’t he? But he’s got a point to prove.

‘‘To everybody’s eyes, Tyson Fury is the lineal champion and Deontay Wilder is a belt holder. He wants what I had – to be considered the best.’’

‘‘They think if there was ever a time to beat me, now is the time. They can’t let me get rolling again with four or five fights, because then there’s no chance. They’re banking on me not being the same fighter I was. And I’m not the same. I’m better now than I was when I fought Klitschko. I’ve got more experience, I move better, I’m stronger and wiser.’’

Wilder has fired a few shots of his own, questioning Fury’s training methods and the big Brit’s comfort factor, especially with his father Peter refused entry to the US because of a conviction for gouging another man’s eye out during a brawl at a car auction.

– The Telegraph, London and Stuff