LAS VEGAS -- Tyson Fury, the heavyweight champion, took aim at Deontay Wilder's false accusations that Fury had manipulated his gloves during their February 2020 rematch. "The Gypsy King," won via seventh-round TKO.
The tension in the lead-up to Saturday's trilogy bout was so intense that Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum cancelled the traditional faceoff before Saturday's fight at T-Mobile Arena to win the heavyweight title (9 p.m.). ET, ESPN+ TV.
Fury, ESPN's No. 1 ranked athlete, said Fury that he wanted to do me wrong and that he has all the anger, malice and aggression. No. 1 heavyweight boxer and No. 6 pound-for-pound boxer. "I don’t want to hurt Deontay wilder. He is my only goal.
"Those who are aggressive and hold on to hot coals will get burned." He knows he has lost twice, and that he will lose the third.
Fury asked Wilder why Wilder still uses the man who checked the gloves before the fight, if they did indeed contain a foreign object. Jay Deas has been replaced as Wilder's head trainer, but he is still with the team and will be working the corner on fight day.
Deas was replaced in Round 7 by Malik Scott who Wilder defeated in just one round in 2014. Wilder fired Mark Breland, an assistant trainer who was previously fired for throwing in the towel during Round 7.
Fury stated, "Mark Breland saved my life that night." You should give him a raise. ... If I won only because I cheated then what's the point in changing everything?
Wilder (42-1, 41KOs) maintained his assertion that Fury loaded his gloves with items and claimed the gloves were bent in unusual ways. The gloves were also checked by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which found no problems.
Wilder made the accusations in October 2020, during a contractual dispute over the third fight. Wilder quickly invoked a rematch clause in the agreement for the second fight. However, Fury claimed that he was moving on to a fight against Anthony Joshua after many failed attempts (complicated due to the pandemic) to find a date.
Fury (30-0-1 and 21 KOs) had an agreement in place to face Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight title on Aug. 14, in Saudi Arabia. However, in May, the independent arbitrator ruled Fury owed Wilder a third bout.
Wilder, 35, said that he will believe what he believes in. I don't need to use my hands. I don't need to do these things. ... You don't have the power to do those things. I was disloyal to my trainer when I set out on my own feet.
Fury replied, "That's an amazing knockout," after scoring two knockdowns against Wilder in their last fight. "I don’t fear you, because you’re a lying little dosser and an insecure bit of s----. You are getting knocked out of the f----."
Wilder, ESPN's No. Wilder, ESPN's No. 2 heavyweight, continued to question Fury about the claims.
Fury, 33, laughed and said, "It's all true. I had knuckle powderers on." He then suggested that Deas must have been involved since he examined the gloves. It's true, I don't need to deny it.
"Wilder is mentally weak and I'm going knock him out Saturday night." He was defeated in the rematch, and I expect much more from him in the third fight.
Wilder, an Olympic bronze medalist has offered other reasons for his defeat, the first of his career. These excuses range from his ringwalk costume, which he claimed weighed over 40 pounds and weakened him legs, to Breland conspiring against Wilder.
The only reason he hasn’t is because Fury was the stronger fighter that night.
Wilder stated, "I don’t have anything to prove." Wilder said, "I have nothing to lose but everything to gain." Only the passion for the sport can end your legacy. Right now, I am well-nourished. My energy is as violent as my mind.
Fury had to settle for a disputed draw when they met in December 2018. Except for the rounds in which Wilder had scored knockdowns (Rounds 9, 12), Fury seemed to win all of them.
Wilder has shown he can hurt Fury. Fury demonstrated that he could not only outbox Wilder but can also bully Wilder around the ring. One of them, with a win Saturday will finally be able to fight for the undisputed heavyweight title.
