Wilder wants a rematch ASAP
AMERICAN THROWS DOWN CHALLENGE TO FOE FURY
DEONTAY Wilder has called for a rematch with Tyson Fury to be held ‘ASAP’ and scorned a challenge by Anthony Joshua.
The American heavyweight said he does not want to fight anyone else before returning to the ring to face the Manchester fighter.
The pair’s WBC heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday ended in a controversial draw, with Fury’s camp claiming he should have won despite Wilder flooring him twice.
“I’m ready whenever he’s ready to do it. I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see and end this talk once and for all,” Wilder said.
“I don’t want any other fights to happen between him and I (meeting again).”
Fury was denied one of the greatest comebacks as the judges called the fight - which most thought he had won despite being put down twice – a draw.
Fury had appeared out cold in the 12th round, but he returned to his feet and recovered enough to survive to the final bell.
“I saw his eyes roll slowly in the back of his head,” Wilder said. “Many people felt that should have been waved off. Nine out of 10 refs would have waved that off.”
There is speculation the rematch could take place between March or June, although an early summer date is more likely to give the fighters time to recover, with Fury calling for it to be held at United’s Old Trafford ground.
Wilder had suffered a broken right arm and underwent surgery around 12 weeks before his clash with Fury - a handicap he will be looking to lessen before their next meeting.
The American will be fighting to retain the only world belt not held by Joshua, who holds three of four.
Following the Wilder-Fury bout, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Wilder has ‘always been the fight we want because he has the last belt.’ But the draw on Saturday could mean Joshua being frozen out of the division’s top fights for a period and Wilder appeared keen to use that fact against the Briton.
“We had to show the world what it looks like for the best to fight the best, and look at the outcome,” Wilder said.
“No-one has talked about Joshua in I don’t know how long and we plan on keeping it that way.”