Tyson Fury makes mockery of Wilder, American boxing
We took it on the chin again, America.
From those darn Brits.
This time it hurt bad.
On Saturday night, American Deontay Wilder got slaughtered by England’s Tyson Fury, losing the fight by seventhround TKO and in the process losing his WBC heavyweight belt.
If only the damage ended here. Worse yet, Wilder’s loss took place less than three months after American Andy Ruiz got pounded by England’s Anthony Joshua, losing the fight by unanimous decision and losing his WBA (super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.
Check your own belts, my fellow Americans, because by now the Brits might have those too.
It’s understandable for the British to dominate us when it comes to soccer, cricket and steeplechase.
But in boxing, much less the heavyweight division?
That’s as unacceptable as serving kidney pie at a Fourth of July party.
After all, America produced heavyweights such as Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield. All-time greats.
For my British friends (soon to be fewer) who crow about retired heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, let’s not forget something: He holds dual citizenship with Canada and England and, when it came time to compete in the 1988 Olympics, suited up for Canada.
Now, Tyson Fury, the 6-9 Englishman whose nickname is “Gypsy King,” turned this into war Saturday night.
He goaded us, America, when he entered MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas carried aloft on a throne and wearing a crown.
He degraded us, America, when in the seventh round he appeared to lick the blood off of Wilder’s neck.
He mocked us, America, when after his postfight interview in the ring he led a crowd full of Brits in a rendition of “American Pie.”
“Bye, bye Miss American Pie,” he crooned, as if the song, like all of the heavyweight championship belts, also now belongs to the British.
Wilder better get well soon. Ruiz better slim down and shape up.
Or else it’s time to find someone else who can do what needs to be done ASAP.
Get those darn belts back.