Fury ‘tougher than Joshua’
DEONTAY WILDER believes that fighting Tyson Fury will present a tougher test than if he was going into the ring with Anthony Joshua.
The WBC heavyweight champion will be face-to-face with former WBO, WBA and IBF title holder Fury today at a London press conference ahead of their December 1 clash in LA.
But Wilder was locked in talks earlier this year to face British superstar Joshua, only for a deal to fail to materialise.
The unbeaten American believes he is facing a better fighter in Fury and backed his rival to beat Joshua if they ever meet.
He said: “Fury beats Joshua on any given day because of the awkwardness.
“When I consider Joshua, he is too stiff, he is definitely robotic and he does not move his head. Fury is awkward, long, moves his body.
“If he don’t win on knockout, I think he’d win on points.”
It was Wilder who prompted Fury’s comeback.
When the Manchesterborn fighter was in the midst of his mental health problems and almost 28st, the American called him out on social media.
He saw Wilder’s message and vowed to come back – now they will face each other in a huge clash at LA’s Staples Center.
Wilder said: “I’m known to be a motivator. That’s why, whether you like it or not, people feel it.
“They feel what I say because I use so much passion when I speak. I speak from my heart.
“I didn’t want to see him end his career like that. He just beat the champion – but we’ve still got to fight.”
Wilder threw down the gauntlet to Tyson, saying: “I dare you to get back in shape – you’re fat!” And the jibe paid off. “It’s going to be a great story to tell – how he came back, fought the biggest fight of his career, and then got knocked out by the man who inspired the comeback,” said Wilder.