Wilder: I won’t be bought off

Richardson on fire as Tigers roar back

DEONTAY WILDER has no intention of taking a step-aside offer to help Tyson Fury face Anthony Joshua, with the American expected to trigger the rematch clause in his contract by early next week.

Wilder lost the WBC heavyweight title after he was demolished by Fury in seven rounds at the weekend in Las Vegas. The Bronze Bomber and his team are due to meet in the next 24 hours and the plan is to trigger the clause for a third clash with the Brit.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren had raised the possibility of offering Wilder a lucrative sum to opt out of that fight.

That would then put pressure on WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua to pay off mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev to allow a summer showdown with Fury. But Wilder (right) believes he can beat Fury in a third fight, with their first meeting ending in a draw. ■ SCOTLAND’S Josh Taylor will defend his IBF and WBA light-welterweight title against mandatory challenger Apinun Khongsong on May 2. remarkably positive attitude. It seemed to galvanise underdogs Rovers into an impressive start.

They opened the scoring when Ben Crooks plucked Joe Keyes’ kick out of the air to continue his prolific start to the campaign.

But after wasting opportunities offered by penalties and a Jez Litten 40/20, the Tigers began to find some joy in the middle of the field.

Jordan Rankin and Jake Trueman had both broken from deep in attacks that came to nothing before Shenton finished a third raid.

Paul McShane broke dummy-half and, after clear from Richardson continued the move, Shenton finished out wide.

That levelled the scores before Ryan Brierley edged Rovers ahead 8-6 at the break with a penalty.

But Brierley was soon in the sin bin for obstructing Grant Millington close to the line to allow Richardson to equalise.

The Tigers scrum-half then stepped through for his own try while the home side were down to 12 men, and shortly after Brierley’s return James Clare’s smart finish out wide sealed the points.

Richardson added another penalty before Mike McMeeken touched down to put the seal on the win.