Deontay Wilder says he won’t go back to ‘old habits’

Deontay Wilder says he won’t go back to “old habits” when he meets Tyson Fury for a third time in Las Vegas on Saturday July 24.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ gets the chance to avenge the first defeat of his professional career, and reclaim the WBC world heavyweight title in the process.

It has been almost 18 long months since Deontay (42-1-1) was crushed by ‘The Gypsy King’ in their rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Wilder has been criticised not just for the excuses he offered post-fight, but for the limited nature of his skillset.

Deontay Wilder seeking perfection

The man himself though says he is seeking perfection in his preparation under new head trainer Malik Scott, and says his team are all on the same page heading into the last two weeks before the fight.

He said: “I feel great, I have a great team. Everybody’s just on one accord – it’s like the instructions coming even clearer. It’s like how can you wrong when you have so many guys on the same page.

“We’re looking for perfection, you’ll never be perfect but that don’t mean you can’t practise it. We’re here practising to make perfect so when I get in the ring it won’t be no questions asked, it won’t be going back to old habits, it will be right what we’ve been working on this camp.

“I’m looking for that. My hand will be raised high in the sky, not because I whooped his ass for 12 rounds, but because I knocked him out.”

Wilder the underdog this time

Wilder of course remains probably the biggest puncher in the heavyweight division today, but he appears to know that more will be needed to hand Fury (30-0-1) the first loss of his professional career.

Deontay, a clear underdog for this trilogy meeting, had Fury on the floor twice in their first fight in Los Angeles in December 2018. Fury though got off the canvas both times to hear the final bell before the fight was called a controversial draw.

A Wilder victory of course would turn the heavyweight division upside down. All the belts are currently held by Fury and fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. It is still hoped that if Fury defeats Deontay and Joshua overcomes Oleksandr Usyk on September 25, the pair could meet before the end of 2021.