Deontay Wilder: Tyson Fury’s fight with Tom Schwarz risks losing interest of American fans
Fury fights Schwarz on June 15, while Wilder takes on WBC mandatory challenge Dominic Breazeale in May
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Deontay Wilder has warned his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury that he risks losing his new American fans for deciding to swerve an immediate rematch of their thrilling split decision draw.
The pair both committed to running back their thrilling December contest in the days immediately after the bout, but talks broke down early in 2019 after Fury made the decision to sign an £80m TV deal with the US broadcaster ESPN.
Fury will now fight Tom Schwarz on June 15, while Wilder takes on WBC mandatory challenge Dominic Breazeale in May.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Wilder blames Fury for the rematch failing to materialise, warning the lineal champion that he is likely to now lose all of the fans he won for his performance in December.
“That is one thing Americans don't like is you say you want to fight nothing but the best then, when it is a controversial fight, you get the rematch and you run,” Wilder told The Mirror.
“Tyson Fury doesn't have an exciting style, he can easily stink out a place with his style. People don't want to see that in America. They don't want to see you just boxing and being boring. They want to see excitement with the big boys, they want to see knockouts.
“Him dodging me and not taking that rematch is going to mess up his profile in America. If I don't give Tyson Fury the rematch ever again in his life that will be his problem. ESPN is going to be s***ting bricks, and so will he.
“Everything he gained in our fight he lost. I hope he is aware of that. He is in for a rude awakening.”
Wilder also shot down rumours that he could fight heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko, who is reportedly considering a return to the ring at the age of 43.
“Klitschko can only live off his name for so long. You get to the point where you're that fighter that used to be where you was – I can't say used to be somebody, because he's still somebody.
“But, you know, the fighting scene, when he comes back, he's gotta build himself back up – especially with someone like me, I'm coming in for the kill. I ain't playing around with nobody.
“I don't think he'll want that fight, to be honest, in my opinion. Klitschko had many times to challenge me in the past.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments