WILDER TURNS TO VIDEO NASTIES

Trainer Malik helping Bronze Bomber learn from all-time greats during ‘film studies’

EXCLUSIVE

CHRIS MCKENNA DEONTAY WILDER is hoping video sessions with new trainer Malik Scott will help him gain revenge on Tyson Fury.

Former heavyweight contender Scott has introduced what he calls “film studies” to the Bronze Bomber’s preparations.

Scott has been showing clips of former greats to get his man to learn from them.

The main focus has been on legendary Cuban amateur star Felix Savon (above right), the three-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion.

Scott said: “Deontay moves off of examples, so you have to show him what you’re talking about and give him reasons why he can do it, because he can do it.

“What stops him from doing it? He just hasn’t been going into the tool box and taking that stuff out. But that is what we have been doing in this camp.

“I showed him Larry Holmes, Joe Louis, Max Schmeling, Bob Foster, Vitali Klitschko. I’m very weird when it comes to film studies. I’ll watch a great, great amateur like Felix Savon. He was overlooked by people in professional boxing but he is the closest to having Deontay Wilder kind of power.

“How do I know this? I see the things that he did in the amateurs with 12oz gloves on and he put people to sleep.

“Savon was one of the greatest Cuban fighters and I can only imagine how successful he would have been as a professional with eight or 10oz gloves on.

“There are a lot of times I show Deontay clips of Felix Savon and how tough it was to get to him.”

It is something new which Scott has purposely introduced. Scott, 40, was appointed Wilder’s new trainer to replace Mark Breland, who was sacked for throwing in the towel during the American’s last fight with Fury.

Breland had seen enough in the seventh round as Wilder took a hammering from the Gypsy King in their rematch after their first bout ended in a draw.

Scott is unproven as a trainer. It is actually the first time he will take the corner of a major fight.

But he has the rare experience of having shared the ring with both protagonists this weekend. He sparred with Fury in the past and he was knocked out in a round by Wilder back in 2014.

He retired in 2016 with a record of 38 wins, three defeats and a draw, and has remained friends with Wilder since their fight. He has been around his team since then as a sparring partner.

And Scott is hoping the video sessions will help get his man revenge.

“Before, when boxing was done in the gym for Deontay, he was done with boxing,” he added. “Me being Deontay’s trainer means once he is done boxing in the gym, I’m coming up to the house to talk boxing and do film study.

“If I can’t make it up to the house, I will send him videos with my voice over so he can study it. Boxing is not over just because we have stopped training.

“I’ve been in the ring with Tyson Fury, so I’m not coming from the perspective of you guys, I’m coming as someone that has experienced it.

“He was better then – when I used to spar him – because he was more elusive then.

“We have to rely on what we were taught and learned. We are going to close this chapter on Saturday night.”

FIGHT CLUB Wilder and his trainer Malik Scott – who was demolished by his man in a round when they clashed in 2014