Wilder has fat chance
RICKY HATTON says Deontay Wilder will be facing a man who believes he is the greatest fighter in the world.
And the former world champion reckons that supreme confidence is Tyson Fury’s best weapon when he takes on the WBC heavyweight champion in Los Angeles’ Staples Center in the early hours of Sunday.
Fury’s belief is unwavering that he will remain unbeaten, hand Wilder his first loss and claim the WBC title.
That is despite the fact he has had just two outings against opponents well below elite world level since his two-and-a-half-year break from the ring after he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko as heavyweight king in November 2015.
“If anyone can do it after just two fights back it is Tyson,” said Hatton, who will be ringside with trainer Ben Davison as well as coaching legend Freddie Roach in Fury’s
EXCLUSIVE by CHRIS McKENNA corner this weekend. “Tyson has many attributes – his skill, his height, his awkwardness but Wilder’s biggest problem will be Tyson’s belief in himself.
“He went to Germany against Klitschko and wasn’t bothered, he is going to LA and is not bothered, only had two fights back and is not bothered.
“He believes he’s one of the greatest of all time. That is what Deontay is up against – that belief.”
Battles
Hatton has been in Fury’s corner since his comeback win over littleknown Sefer Seferi in June.
But the former two-weight world champion believes he is also part of another team with the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’.
That is a trio of Hatton, Fury and another former world heavyweight champion in Frank Bruno.
They are three big names in British boxing who have all suffered mental health battles. Hatton added: “Frank Bruno, heavyweight champion of the world; Tyson Fury, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, me, one of the most popular fighters this country has had, and we have all had problems .
“It shows that it can happen to anyone and it doesn’t matter what you have.
“I hope I speak for Frank and Tyson when I say this but we see that as our job now – not just to throw the punches – but also as ambassadors for people with mental health issues.”
Hatton has witnessed Fury battle back from the dark days of booze binges and cocaine abuse as the ‘Gypsy King’ used his gym to train for his return to the ring.
And Hatton believes the spirit in his gym has also helped Fury.
“You have to have a good sense of humour for me to train you,” said Hatton.
“I think he has felt more at home in my gym than any other.” TYSON FURY is confident he has hoodwinked Deontay Wilder into believing he’s fighting a “fat English idiot”.
Fury, 30, ballooned to nearly 26 stone during a two-year drink and drugs binge before shedding almost half his body weight.
Two unimpressive victories over mediocre opposition lured Wilder into agreeing to defend his world heavyweight title.
But Fury has subjected himself to a monastic lifestyle in the California mountains to prepare – and is ready to pull off the ultimate con job.
He said: “Deontay has been at home making love to his wife and having nice dinners.
“I’ve been living in a hole on my own.
“He’s been playing with his kids and having them jump all over him. I’ve just been training and starving myself.
“You can’t be playing daddy and be training to be heavyweight champion of the world.
Bums
“They’ve bitten off more than they can chew. They think I’m in it for a few quid but I could not care less about money.
“Don’t forget I picked Deontay Wilder, he did not pick me. I signed a five-fight deal with Frank Warren and could have boxed five bums.
“I asked Frank to tell them I was just coming back for the money, then he got the fight made. I tricked them into it.
“They think they’re fighting some fat English idiot. They don’t know what they’ve let themselves in for.
“He’s made the biggest mistake of his life, letting me talk him into this.”
Fury raked in millions when he toppled Wladimir Klitschko three years ago and will pocket another seven-figure cheque this weekend.
But he has no plans to splash the cash on himself or his pregnant wife and four kids.
Fury added: “If this room we’re in was filled to the ceiling with diamonds I would give them all to win this fight. When I want to win this much, I cannot lose.” ®
BT Sport Box Office will exclusively show Wilder v Fury on December 1, available to buy for just £19.95, find out more at www.bt.com/ sportboxoffice