FAT CHANCE
Wilder: I dared Fury to get back in shape
Deontay Wilder, as he hits london today, is claiming the credit for inspiring tyson Fury to resume his career. the WBC world champion is in town for the media launch of his heavyweight title defence against Fury in los angeles on december 1.
the Bronze Bomber says he taunted the Gypsy King to return to the ring because he could not bear to see the man who ended the legendary reign of Wladimir Klitschko throw it all away.
Fury was out of action for two years through suspension and depression, and Wilder encouraged his comeback on social media.
Fury is challenging Ko king Wilder in only the third fight of what he calls his second coming — too soon in the perception of many — but Wilder disagrees, saying: ‘i will be facing a better version of Fury than the one which beat Klitschko. i’m a motivator. i speak from the heart and with so much passion. People believe me.’
Certainly, he has been as good as his word in going through with this fight after negotiations for a championship unification battle with anthony Joshua collapsed.
Fury was convinced, not least because the american had been on his case throughout his absence.
Wilder said: ‘He had beaten Klitschko — the champion — but he was letting himself go. i didn’t want to see his career end like that. i said this to him: “How dare you not come back? you’re fat. i dare you to get back in shape”.
‘i was very sincere. i didn’t want my words to be in vain. i’m pleased he used them for motivation.’
The doubters have been confounded by the finalising of the la deal.
Wilder said: ‘i didn’t want us to do those years of trash-talking each other for nothing. We had to fight. it’s going to be a great story to tell. How he came back, fought the biggest fight of his career and was knocked out by the man who inspired his comeback.
‘they will love that story in america because they love Fury for the character he is.’
Wilder voices his confidence that he is the one who will still be undefeated after the fight, even though he knows how tricky it is to catch Fury with decisive punches.
‘He is different but i am different, also,’ he said. ‘to beat me, he would have to be so perfect that i do not hit him once with my power in 12 rounds. not possible.
‘and because of the power i possess, i only have to be perfect for one split second. Somewhere between the madness and the awkwardness, the adjustments and positioning will create the exact angle for the punch he does not see coming. Goodnight.’
one narrative suggests that whatever the result in the Staples Centre, both these heavyweights will fight Joshua in due course.
Wilder, unimpressed by AJ’s knockout of alexander Povetkin, has no doubt that he would knock out Britain’s world champion. nor that Fury would mesmerise Joshua ‘any given day because he is so awkward’.
He adds: ‘Joshua is too robotic and he doesn’t move his head. Fury is long, difficult, moves athletically and would beat him by decision. Fury is the harder fight but he knows the power i possess.
‘Whoever faces me, i see the fear in the eyes of all these guys. When deontay Wilder transforms into the Bronze Bomber, it is nothing pleasant, trust me.’
the verbal sparring has already commenced.