Deontay Wilder has given an update on his recovery from bicep surgery, and provided a simple answer for the people questioning why he wants a third fight with Tyson Fury – ‘why wouldn’t I?’.
The deposed WBC heavyweight king lost his belt in a devastating seventh-round TKO at the hands of ‘The Gypsy King’ in Las Vegas in February. The manner of that defeat (Wilder’s first as a professional) led many – Fury included – to say a third fight isn’t needed to prove anything.
Wilder on third fight with Fury
But Wilder hit back, telling the PBC Podcast: “No one should be surprised. I am who I am. I’m Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder, you know, and nothing’s gonna change about that. Why would I not want it? You know, like I said, at this moment in time, you know, we’re just sitting back. It’s gonna be a time and place where I’m ready to come out. It’s gonna be a time and place where I say what I need to say.”
Wilder on bicep injury
Wilder again re-iterated his belief that we did not see the real ‘Bronze Bomber’ that night in the MGM Grand Garden Arena – with speculation including the impact of that much-lamented ringwalk costume and a bicep injury. Wilder confirmed he had undergone bicep surgery, and added: “Recovery is going well. I ended up injuring it in my last fight. Everything is going great with it.
“I’m just focusing on recovery and getting back to full health. Hopefully this corona stuff will be out of the way and we can get back to camp and get ready some time at the end of the year. I can’t work out right now, that’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m just looking forward to working out and doing the things I love to do.”
“I can’t believe the things that happened, happened to me at that point in my career. He (Fury) know that wasn’t me, I know that wasn’t me and the people in boxing, everyone know that wasn’t the real Deontay Wilder. Something was wrong with him, and you know, we will show. Like I said, it’s a time and place for it all, and I’ll reveal a lot of things. You know, but I’m looking forward to (the third Fury fight), actually. I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait to give the people what they wanna see.”
Fury on Wilder third fight
Wilder’s response came after Fury had told Talksport he was surprised Wilder had exercised his contractual option to a third fight.
“Yeah, I was surprised because it was a one-sided fight. He didn’t win a second of that second fight, but in this game it’s a short game and a short career, and there’s an old saying – ‘We’ve gotta may hay while the sun shines’. And for Deontay Wilder, at the age of 34, how many big fights out there are left for him after a domination like he had?
“So, I understand where he’s coming from. I understand that he has probably a lot of bills to pay. I don’t know the man’s personal circumstances, but from what I’ve seen of these American fighters and sportsmen, they always live a rock star’s lifestyle, even though they’re not rock stars. They go through a lot of money quite quickly.
“Just look at Mike Tyson. He went through like a billion dollars or whatever he went through. So, I’m sure that the money side of it is the tempting thing. I don’t think it’s too tempting to go in there and get an absolute beating like he did before, but he would be tempted by the amount of money that he would receive because they go through it quite quickly. I think that’s the reason he’s taking the fight, for the money.”
