I’M THE DON
Fury lays into Trump as he sides with Mexicans
TYSON FURY will stick two fingers up at Donald Trump by punching holes in two Walls this weekend.
The Gypsy King is facing unbeaten but little-known Swede Otto Wallin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on a famous fighting weekend that coincides with Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations.
And Fury has shown his sympathy for those from the Central American country on either side of the US border suffering because the American President is putting up a wall to tighten immigration.
“Isn’t it a great thing that a total outsider from this country is showing so much love, passion and respect for the Mexican people,” said the Manchester-born Traveller.
“At the minute they are being oppressed by the people here – building a wall, chucking ’em all out and treating them terrible.
“Every Mexican person I’ve met has shown love, respect and honour. They’re God-fearing people.
“I don’t know what is going on but it is nice to see a total stranger, heavyweight champion of the world, coming here and respecting people and paying homage to their beliefs and special days. I know what it is like to be on the outside. I’ve grown up around it, I’ve been brought up around it.”
The ‘Gypsy King’ came out for his open workout at the MGM Grand hotel on Tuesday wearing a Mexican wrestling mask as traditional Latin music blasted out.
Boxing on Mexican Independence weekend has become a big tradition in the sport dating back to when the country’s legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Oscar De La Hoya then took over before American Floyd Mayweather jnr gatecrashed the weekend and made it his own to help boost his gate receipts and pay-per-view numbers.
Since Mayweather’s retirement, Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has returned it to a more traditional affair but he opted out of a September 14 fight after delays in finding an opponent.
Fury’s promoters, Top Rank, swooped to take the venue and, although it is a British fighter facing a Swede, they are hoping to attract big crowds this weekend.
“I’ve got the Mexican shorts, the Mexican gloves, the Mexican mask, the Mexican music, the Mexican flag. I don’t know how much more respect I can show,” said Fury.
“It is quite a list of fighters to box on this date.The funny fact of it was Canelo was supposed to box on this weekend in Vegas but for whatever reason he decided not to, but I stepped up for the Mexican people. I brought the fight forward four weeks to do this. Good job I stayed fit.
“I am in shape and always ready. It was supposed to be in New York in October but I decided to bring it forward and box on a special date.”
This is Fury’s second fight in Las Vegas after he beat Tom Schwarz in two rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in June. “My face is as popular now as David Copperfield’s is on the side of the MGM,” he said.
Copperfield is the world-famous magician, but Fury has a few tricks up his sleeve to entertain the fans this week.