There’s no love lost between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, but the Brit – who is two wins up on the American – has pointed out at least one redeeming quality.
Fury and Wilder shared the ring three times in a modern-day great trilogy, fighting first to a controversial draw before Fury ran away with the results by scoring knockouts in the second and third bouts.
In direct contrast to respect being shown after battle, Wilder had instead labelled his three-time dance partner a cheat, claiming he put a curse on him and loaded his gloves, amongst other wild theories that say more about the accuser than the accused.
Despite the bad blood, Fury recently told Fight Hub TV that there was one thing he respected about the heavyweight from Alabama – his ability to make a fight happen.
“The one thing I can say about Wilder is these other guys make excuses about how much money they want, they want this percentage, want this, want that, Wilder never did.
He never ever complained about ‘I’m not going to fight because I want this I want that’, he just did it, so fair play to him for that one. But he’s still a p***y.”
Although not naming names, he’s likely referring to the negotiations he finds himself in for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Fury is expected to put his WBC belt on the line against Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO, WBA, and IBF straps – but talks have stalled.
On the potential fight, ‘The Gypsy King’ could provide little update as he’s removed himself from the business side of the sport.
“I don’t get involved in the business side anymore because it used t give me a lot of stress and anxiety. What I’ve learnt from these boxing fights is that they don’t get made straight away like I’d want them to.”
“I’m the type of man that goes let’s have a deal and gets it done. But these guys they like to drag it on for months and months and years even.”
On being willing to fight Usyk, Fury gave a defiant response.
“If the devil confronted me I would fight him.”
It’s believed – the above all but confirms – that the stumbling block in the talks centres on a purse split dispute. The fight will likely land at Wembley Stadium on April 29 if it’s made, and reports suggest that Fury’s side won’t bow to a 50/50 split in his home country whilst the Ukrainian feels that’s only fair.
An update – good or bad – is expected this week. Should Fury not face Usyk, fans wouldn’t be surprised to see a fourth Wilder fight. The pair recently bumped into each other in Saudi Arabia, and it was surprisingly cordial.