Tag: Fury-Wilder III

The Boxing Junkie Analysis: Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III

The Boxing Junkie Analysis: Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will meet for a third time in a pay-per-view fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The elite heavyweights fought to a draw in December 2018 and Fury, using uncharacteristic aggressive tactics, stopped Wilder in seven rounds to take his title in February of last year.

That was the last time both men have been in the ring.

What will the third fight look like? Will Fury simply pick up where he left off? Or will Wilder have made adjustments that will allow him to turn to the tables on his English rival?

Here is a breakdown of the fight.

TYSON FURY (30-0-1, 21 KOs)
VS. DEONTAY WILDER (42-1-1, 41 KOs)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Heavyweight
At stake: Fury’s WBC title
Current win streak: Fury 3, Wilder 0
Ages: Fury 22, Wilder 35
Stances: Fury orthodox, Wilder orthodox
Trajectory: Fury at peak, Wilder beginning decline
Also fighting: Efe Ajagba vs. Frank Sanchez, heavyweights; Robert Helenius vs. Adam Kownacki, heavyweights; Edgar Berlanga vs. Marcelo Esteban Coceres, super middleweights; Julian Williams vs. Vladimir Hernandez, junior middleweights
Worth watching (up to five stars)? * * * *

 

SKILL SET

Fury
Fury is a remarkable boxer, particularly for a man who is 6 feet, 9 inches. He has a complete set of skills and the ring acumen to call upon any of them when the time is right, including defensive moves that make him difficult to hit cleanly. And he demonstrated his versatility by changing his tactics in his second fight with Wilder – using his size to smother the big puncher – to deliver a dominating performance. No active heavyweight can match his skillset.

Wilder
Conventional thinking is that Wilder is a one-trick pony, relying almost entirely on his powerful right hand to win fights. That notion is exaggerated. Wilder is not a great boxer but he’s a solid one, which has allowed him to set up and then land that fight-changing right hand in almost all of his fights. That takes ability. The problem he has with Fury is that the Englishman is far better than anyone else he has fought.

Edge: Fury

 

PUNCHING POWER

Fury
Fury is by nature a boxer, not a puncher. However, he demonstrated in awesome fashion in his second fight with Wilder that a man with his combination of ability and size – he weighed 273 pounds, 42 more than Wilder – can do significant damage at the highest level.

Wilder
We can debate where Wilder’s one-punch power ranks in boxing history but we can agree that he’s one of the most-dangerous punchers ever. Forty-one knockouts in 42 victories speak loudly. Twenty of those knockouts have come in the first round. Indeed, we have rarely seen the likes of his missile-like right hand, which can end any fight at any time.

Edge: Wilder

 

EXPERIENCE

Fury
Fury had a reported 35 amateur fights and has fought only 31 times as a pro, which gives him a total of 66 organized fights in his life. That’s not many, at least compared to other top fighters. At the same time, he has been fighting at an elite level and in big events for about a decade. It’s safe to call him a seasoned veteran.

Wilder
Wilder has a similar background to that of Fury. He also had a reported 35 amateur fights, although he won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics. And he has had 44 pro fights. He hasn’t fought as many rounds as Fury – 193 to 150 – but he, too, has fought at the highest level for an extended period of time.

Edge: Even

 

DURABILITY

Fury
Fury demonstrated his resilience by rising from two knockdowns to earn a draw with Wilder in their first fight, including a bomb that probably would’ve stopped most heavyweights. Another example is his fight against Otto Wallin in 2019, when he fought through a gruesome cut and spirited challenge from Wallin to win a decision. Fury is a tough guy.

Wilder

Wilder showed us in his first fight against Luis Ortiz, who hurt him badly, that he can fight through adversity and turn things around. Even in his second fight with Fury he was taking a beating yet wanted to continue. Another tough guy.

Edge: Even

 

INTANGIBLES

Fury
Fury’s biggest advantage might a psychological edge. He not only defeated Wilder in their last meeting, he beat him up. He was both better and stronger than Wilder, which proved to be a devastating one-two punch. Wilder will be better prepared in this fight but he couldn’t possibly forget the helplessness, embarrassment and disappointment of being manhandled.

Wilder
Wilder is fighting for his professional life, which can be a powerful motivating factor. If he wins, he returns to the top of the sport. If he loses – particularly if he loses badly – he becomes just another heavyweight. He should be focused. Meanwhile, Fury has been there and done that. Could he possibly get up for this fight? And if not, could that work against him?

Edge: Fury

 

PREDICTION

Wilder will have had 19-plus months with new trainer Malik Scott and his team to make the adjustments necessary to be more competitive with Fury. One example: Wilder will use his feet to escape trouble and create space to throw his power punches, which he couldn’t do in the last fight. Such tactics should make the fight more competitive. That said, Fury is the better and bigger fighter, which is a big hill for Wilder to climb even if he’s better prepared. Fury demonstrated how to beat Wilder in their second fight: use his size advantage by crowding him and pounding away, which should be his approach to the third fight. And even if Wilder proves to be elusive, you can bet that Fury will have the wherewithal to make his own adjustments. I think Wilder might hear the final bell in this fight but he will lose by a wide decision.

Fury UD

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The Boxing Junkie Analysis: Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III

The Boxing Junkie Analysis: Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will meet for a third time in a pay-per-view fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The elite heavyweights fought to a draw in December 2018 and Fury, using uncharacteristic aggressive tactics, stopped Wilder in seven rounds to take his title in February of last year.

That was the last time both men have been in the ring.

What will the third fight look like? Will Fury simply pick up where he left off? Or will Wilder have made adjustments that will allow him to turn to the tables on his English rival?

Here is a breakdown of the fight.

TYSON FURY (30-0-1, 21 KOs)
VS. DEONTAY WILDER (42-1-1, 41 KOs)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Heavyweight
At stake: Fury’s WBC title
Current win streak: Fury 3, Wilder 0
Ages: Fury 22, Wilder 35
Stances: Fury orthodox, Wilder orthodox
Trajectory: Fury at peak, Wilder beginning decline
Also fighting: Efe Ajagba vs. Frank Sanchez, heavyweights; Robert Helenius vs. Adam Kownacki, heavyweights; Edgar Berlanga vs. Marcelo Esteban Coceres, super middleweights; Julian Williams vs. Vladimir Hernandez, junior middleweights
Worth watching (up to five stars)? * * * *

 

SKILL SET

Fury
Fury is a remarkable boxer, particularly for a man who is 6 feet, 9 inches. He has a complete set of skills and the ring acumen to call upon any of them when the time is right, including defensive moves that make him difficult to hit cleanly. And he demonstrated his versatility by changing his tactics in his second fight with Wilder – using his size to smother the big puncher – to deliver a dominating performance. No active heavyweight can match his skillset.

Wilder
Conventional thinking is that Wilder is a one-trick pony, relying almost entirely on his powerful right hand to win fights. That notion is exaggerated. Wilder is not a great boxer but he’s a solid one, which has allowed him to set up and then land that fight-changing right hand in almost all of his fights. That takes ability. The problem he has with Fury is that the Englishman is far better than anyone else he has fought.

Edge: Fury

 

PUNCHING POWER

Fury
Fury is by nature a boxer, not a puncher. However, he demonstrated in awesome fashion in his second fight with Wilder that a man with his combination of ability and size – he weighed 273 pounds, 42 more than Wilder – can do significant damage at the highest level.

Wilder
We can debate where Wilder’s one-punch power ranks in boxing history but we can agree that he’s one of the most-dangerous punchers ever. Forty-one knockouts in 42 victories speak loudly. Twenty of those knockouts have come in the first round. Indeed, we have rarely seen the likes of his missile-like right hand, which can end any fight at any time.

Edge: Wilder

 

EXPERIENCE

Fury
Fury had a reported 35 amateur fights and has fought only 31 times as a pro, which gives him a total of 66 organized fights in his life. That’s not many, at least compared to other top fighters. At the same time, he has been fighting at an elite level and in big events for about a decade. It’s safe to call him a seasoned veteran.

Wilder
Wilder has a similar background to that of Fury. He also had a reported 35 amateur fights, although he won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics. And he has had 44 pro fights. He hasn’t fought as many rounds as Fury – 193 to 150 – but he, too, has fought at the highest level for an extended period of time.

Edge: Even

 

DURABILITY

Fury
Fury demonstrated his resilience by rising from two knockdowns to earn a draw with Wilder in their first fight, including a bomb that probably would’ve stopped most heavyweights. Another example is his fight against Otto Wallin in 2019, when he fought through a gruesome cut and spirited challenge from Wallin to win a decision. Fury is a tough guy.

Wilder

Wilder showed us in his first fight against Luis Ortiz, who hurt him badly, that he can fight through adversity and turn things around. Even in his second fight with Fury he was taking a beating yet wanted to continue. Another tough guy.

Edge: Even

 

INTANGIBLES

Fury
Fury’s biggest advantage might a psychological edge. He not only defeated Wilder in their last meeting, he beat him up. He was both better and stronger than Wilder, which proved to be a devastating one-two punch. Wilder will be better prepared in this fight but he couldn’t possibly forget the helplessness, embarrassment and disappointment of being manhandled.

Wilder
Wilder is fighting for his professional life, which can be a powerful motivating factor. If he wins, he returns to the top of the sport. If he loses – particularly if he loses badly – he becomes just another heavyweight. He should be focused. Meanwhile, Fury has been there and done that. Could he possibly get up for this fight? And if not, could that work against him?

Edge: Fury

 

PREDICTION

Wilder will have had 19-plus months with new trainer Malik Scott and his team to make the adjustments necessary to be more competitive with Fury. One example: Wilder will use his feet to escape trouble and create space to throw his power punches, which he couldn’t do in the last fight. Such tactics should make the fight more competitive. That said, Fury is the better and bigger fighter, which is a big hill for Wilder to climb even if he’s better prepared. Fury demonstrated how to beat Wilder in their second fight: use his size advantage by crowding him and pounding away, which should be his approach to the third fight. And even if Wilder proves to be elusive, you can bet that Fury will have the wherewithal to make his own adjustments. I think Wilder might hear the final bell in this fight but he will lose by a wide decision.

Fury UD

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Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder: Challenger wise to keep his mouth shut

Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder: The challenger wise to keep his mouth shut at a news conference Tuesday to promoter their July 24 fight.

I don’t know exactly why Deontay Wilder refused to answer questions Tuesday at the kick off news conference for his third fight against heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury on July 24 in Las Vegas. And I don’t care.

I think it’s a good idea.

He said too much after Fury knocked him out in seven rounds in February of last year to win the WBC belt, first claiming that the heavy costume he wore for his ring walk sapped the energy in his legs and then accusing Fury of having loaded gloves.

He made a fool of himself. And he knew it.

Plus, there’s point in talking after taking a brutal beating like the one he took from Fury. You can say you’re going to do this and do that — as fighters tend to do — but the words mean nothing. It’s time for deeds, not bold, generally boring platitudes.

Wilder said as much before the news conference, telling Top Rank’s Crystina Poncher, “The talking is done. It’s time to do business, to put in work.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4e71LPB9kY

Ironically, Wilder’s silence made the news conference, held at a theater in downtown Los Angeles, more interesting than the typical promotional event.

He provided opening comments. He thanked those close to him, including his legal team. That was an obvious reference to the fact an arbitrator spoiled a Fury-Anthony Joshua showdown when he ruled that a rematch clause from Fury-Wilder II was binding.

And he hinted that he wouldn’t be saying much in the five weeks leading up to the fight.

“Look, enough said,” he said. “It’s time to cut off his head. Come July 24 there will be bloodshed.”

That was it. He didn’t say another word.

Poncher, who stood on a dais between the seating fighters, asked Wilder why he selected Malik Scott to replace Mark Breland as his head trainer. Wilder, wearing headphones, didn’t respond. Scott answered for him.

That was the moment it became clear that Wilder would be tight-lipped. Scott was asked about his fighter’s reluctance to speak.

“Well, No. 1 he’s very stubborn even thought he has rededicated his life and everything to his craft,” Scott said. “… Like most legends, like most gifted people, they have their things with them. Even Tyson Fury has his things with him. A lot of people think he’s crazy.

“… As long as Deontay gives me what I want in the gym, as long as he gives me what I ask for, I don’t care about the stubbornness.”

Fury, who walked onto the stage shirtless for effect, was about as upbeat and entertaining as he typically is. However, when he was asked about Wilder’s silence he gave a serious response before slipping back into character and offering to play the role of both fighters, which drew laughs.

“It shows how weak of a mental person he is,” Fury said, “how much the beating from the last fight has taken an emotional and physical [toll] on his life. I was worried about Deontay Wilder for quite a while after the defeat I gave him.

“Obviously, he’s doing the little thing with earphones on and he doesn’t want to answer any questions. That’s up to him. But I’m here to promote a fight, to talk to the press as I always do.”

Fury then got into a back and forth with Scott.

“Wilder is a stubborn person,” Fury said. “He has his own mentality. He wants to do things his own way. To listen to all the people is not what Deontay Wilder does. So no matter how much Malik teaches Deontay, he’s going to do what Deontay is going to do.”

Scot objected to that assertion, saying, “That’s wrong. He’s been doing what I’ve asked him to do.”

Fury responded, “But like Mike Tyson said, ‘Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth.’”

“But you’re talking about as far as training,” Scott said.

“In the real fight, I’m talking about,” Fury said. “… He’s going to revert straight back to type 100 percent. As soon as he gets hit with one right hand, he’s going to see red and he’s going to think, ‘Right. I’m going to take his head off.’”

Fury went on to predict that he would stop Wilder earlier than he did in the last fight because he’s had more time to prepare, saying, “I’ll run him over as if I’m an 18-wheeler and he’s a human being.”

And the Brit said he wants to bulk up to 300 pounds, which would be 27 more than he weighed for Part 2 of their trilogy, “because I’m looking for a big knockout straight away.”

Soon it was time for the obligatory stare down, which was about as dramatic as it gets. They stood nose to nose for more than 5½ minutes, with only a few chirps from Fury to break the silence until their teams finally surrounded them and they walked off.

The stare down was more intense than any words could’ve been.

Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder: Challenger wise to keep his mouth shut

Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder: The challenger wise to keep his mouth shut at a news conference Tuesday to promoter their July 24 fight.

I don’t know exactly why Deontay Wilder refused to answer questions Tuesday at the kick off news conference for his third fight against heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury on July 24 in Las Vegas. And I don’t care.

I think it’s a good idea.

He said too much after Fury knocked him out in seven rounds in February of last year to win the WBC belt, first claiming that the heavy costume he wore for his ring walk sapped the energy in his legs and then accusing Fury of having loaded gloves.

He made a fool of himself. And he knew it.

Plus, there’s point in talking after taking a brutal beating like the one he took from Fury. You can say you’re going to do this and do that — as fighters tend to do — but the words mean nothing. It’s time for deeds, not bold, generally boring platitudes.

Wilder said as much before the news conference, telling Top Rank’s Crystina Poncher, “The talking is done. It’s time to do business, to put in work.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4e71LPB9kY

Ironically, Wilder’s silence made the news conference, held at a theater in downtown Los Angeles, more interesting than the typical promotional event.

He provided opening comments. He thanked those close to him, including his legal team. That was an obvious reference to the fact an arbitrator spoiled a Fury-Anthony Joshua showdown when he ruled that a rematch clause from Fury-Wilder II was binding.

And he hinted that he wouldn’t be saying much in the five weeks leading up to the fight.

“Look, enough said,” he said. “It’s time to cut off his head. Come July 24 there will be bloodshed.”

That was it. He didn’t say another word.

Poncher, who stood on a dais between the seating fighters, asked Wilder why he selected Malik Scott to replace Mark Breland as his head trainer. Wilder, wearing headphones, didn’t respond. Scott answered for him.

That was the moment it became clear that Wilder would be tight-lipped. Scott was asked about his fighter’s reluctance to speak.

“Well, No. 1 he’s very stubborn even thought he has rededicated his life and everything to his craft,” Scott said. “… Like most legends, like most gifted people, they have their things with them. Even Tyson Fury has his things with him. A lot of people think he’s crazy.

“… As long as Deontay gives me what I want in the gym, as long as he gives me what I ask for, I don’t care about the stubbornness.”

Fury, who walked onto the stage shirtless for effect, was about as upbeat and entertaining as he typically is. However, when he was asked about Wilder’s silence he gave a serious response before slipping back into character and offering to play the role of both fighters, which drew laughs.

“It shows how weak of a mental person he is,” Fury said, “how much the beating from the last fight has taken an emotional and physical [toll] on his life. I was worried about Deontay Wilder for quite a while after the defeat I gave him.

“Obviously, he’s doing the little thing with earphones on and he doesn’t want to answer any questions. That’s up to him. But I’m here to promote a fight, to talk to the press as I always do.”

Fury then got into a back and forth with Scott.

“Wilder is a stubborn person,” Fury said. “He has his own mentality. He wants to do things his own way. To listen to all the people is not what Deontay Wilder does. So no matter how much Malik teaches Deontay, he’s going to do what Deontay is going to do.”

Scot objected to that assertion, saying, “That’s wrong. He’s been doing what I’ve asked him to do.”

Fury responded, “But like Mike Tyson said, ‘Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth.’”

“But you’re talking about as far as training,” Scott said.

“In the real fight, I’m talking about,” Fury said. “… He’s going to revert straight back to type 100 percent. As soon as he gets hit with one right hand, he’s going to see red and he’s going to think, ‘Right. I’m going to take his head off.’”

Fury went on to predict that he would stop Wilder earlier than he did in the last fight because he’s had more time to prepare, saying, “I’ll run him over as if I’m an 18-wheeler and he’s a human being.”

And the Brit said he wants to bulk up to 300 pounds, which would be 27 more than he weighed for Part 2 of their trilogy, “because I’m looking for a big knockout straight away.”

Soon it was time for the obligatory stare down, which was about as dramatic as it gets. They stood nose to nose for more than 5½ minutes, with only a few chirps from Fury to break the silence until their teams finally surrounded them and they walked off.

The stare down was more intense than any words could’ve been.

Deontay Wilder training partner: ‘You will see completely different Deontay’

A training partner of Deontay Wilder said the former heavyweight champ is fit and in a good frame of mind.

Deontay Wilder has been on mute the past six months or so. Not a peep out of him. However, someone close to him has had a good look at where Wilder stands as he begins preparation for his third fight with Tyson Fury. And he likes what he sees.

Heavyweight prospect Raphael Akpejiori, whose fitness coach is working with Wilder in Miami, said the former heavyweight champ is fit and in a good frame of mind.

Fury and Wilder drew in 2018, and Fury won the rematch by seventh-round knockout in February. They’re expected to meet again in December.

“Based on what I know, the only person that can beat Deontay right now is Deontay,” Akpejiori told Sky Sports. “He will beat Fury if he sticks to the game plan from his coaching staff, and I know that he has all the physical tools.

“Right now he is in amazing physical shape, that I can tell you for sure. You will see a completely different Deontay, mentally and physically in the ring, when that bell rings again for that third fight. That I can tell you.”

Akpejiori said that Wilder had recovered from biceps surgery shortly after the second Fury fight and was prepared for the rematch this summer, before the coronavirus pandemic put the sport on hold.

Wilder said he injured the biceps before the Fury fight.

“Listen, I can tell you from my conversations with Deontay that he was ready to fight Tyson Fury in July,” Akpejiori said. “The only reason why he didn’t fight Tyson Fury in July was because the fight was moved due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown that came after that.

“He does the same workouts that we’ve been doing. I don’t know how somebody can be injured and do all that. It’s really hard stuff. I can tell you that for sure.”

Akpejiori rejected the notion that Wilder is hesitant to share the ring with Fury a third time. On the contrary, Akpejiori said, he’s confident that he’ll regain his title.

“Oh yeah, he definitely is,” said Akpejiori. “You can really tell that’s all he’s thinking about, from just talking. We talk about a whole lot of other things, personal stuff, boxing promotional stuff. But concerning fighting Tyson Fury, he’s extremely confident.

“He’s very excited about that third fight. I can tell you for sure that he’s very hungry, and he’s trying to get back into the ring as soon as possible. He’s in great spirits, excited to get back to fight Tyson Fury.”

Wilder has been a mentor for Akpejiori since they met in 2017.

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Deontay Wilder training partner: ‘You will see completely different Deontay’

A training partner of Deontay Wilder said the former heavyweight champ is fit and in a good frame of mind.

Deontay Wilder has been on mute the past six months or so. Not a peep out of him. However, someone close to him has had a good look at where Wilder stands as he begins preparation for his third fight with Tyson Fury. And he likes what he sees.

Heavyweight prospect Raphael Akpejiori, whose fitness coach is working with Wilder in Miami, said the former heavyweight champ is fit and in a good frame of mind.

Fury and Wilder drew in 2018, and Fury won the rematch by seventh-round knockout in February. They’re expected to meet again in December.

“Based on what I know, the only person that can beat Deontay right now is Deontay,” Akpejiori told Sky Sports. “He will beat Fury if he sticks to the game plan from his coaching staff, and I know that he has all the physical tools.

“Right now he is in amazing physical shape, that I can tell you for sure. You will see a completely different Deontay, mentally and physically in the ring, when that bell rings again for that third fight. That I can tell you.”

Akpejiori said that Wilder had recovered from biceps surgery shortly after the second Fury fight and was prepared for the rematch this summer, before the coronavirus pandemic put the sport on hold.

Wilder said he injured the biceps before the Fury fight.

“Listen, I can tell you from my conversations with Deontay that he was ready to fight Tyson Fury in July,” Akpejiori said. “The only reason why he didn’t fight Tyson Fury in July was because the fight was moved due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown that came after that.

“He does the same workouts that we’ve been doing. I don’t know how somebody can be injured and do all that. It’s really hard stuff. I can tell you that for sure.”

Akpejiori rejected the notion that Wilder is hesitant to share the ring with Fury a third time. On the contrary, Akpejiori said, he’s confident that he’ll regain his title.

“Oh yeah, he definitely is,” said Akpejiori. “You can really tell that’s all he’s thinking about, from just talking. We talk about a whole lot of other things, personal stuff, boxing promotional stuff. But concerning fighting Tyson Fury, he’s extremely confident.

“He’s very excited about that third fight. I can tell you for sure that he’s very hungry, and he’s trying to get back into the ring as soon as possible. He’s in great spirits, excited to get back to fight Tyson Fury.”

Wilder has been a mentor for Akpejiori since they met in 2017.

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Tyson Fury dismisses as ‘sad’ Deontay Wilder’s contention that Fury’s not champ

Tyson Fury dismissed Deontay Wilder’s contention that Fury isn’t a heavyweight champion as “sad.”

Tyson Fury responded to Deontay Wilder’s contention that Tyson Fury isn’t a heavyweight titleholder by calling the comment “sad.”

Wilder said on The PBC Podcast that he doesn’t recognize Fury as the heavyweight champion because they still have unfinished business even though Fury took his belt by a seventh-round knockout on Feb. 22.

They are scheduled to fight a third time before the end of the year, although the exact date is unclear in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s not over,” said Wilder, who drew with Fury in their first fight. “In my eyes I don’t see Fury as champion. It’s still going. He ain’t champion yet. We still have got one more fight left.”

Fury responded on Instagram. He wrote: “Keep letting yourself down @bronzebomber it’s sad, It was you I smashed that’s the truth. Just admit it and move on, it’s just a fight you win some you lose some that’s boxing pal.”

Wilder was criticized for blaming the loss on the costume he wore into the ring, which he said weakened his legs. On the podcast, Wilder said he simply wasn’t himself.

“People that know boxing know that it wasn’t Deontay Wilder that night,” he said. “I was a zombie that night.”

Deontay Wilder reveals biceps injury, says Tyson Fury not yet champion

Deontay Wilder revealed that he injured his biceps in his rematch with Tyson Fury and added that Fury isn’t champ pending third fight.

Deontay Wilder spoke cryptically during an interview on The PBC Podcast.

The former heavyweight champion was careful not to make excuses for his knockout loss to Tyson Fury on Feb. 22 after he was criticized for blaming the costume he wore into the ring. And while he indicated that he carried additional detrimental baggage into the ring, he wouldn’t say what it was other than to rail against crooked nature of boxing.

Wilder did talk openly about a few things, though.

One, he revealed that a biceps injured suffered in the rematch with Fury required surgery. He said he’s recovering from the operation and won’t be able to train until sometime next month.

Two, he said he doesn’t recognize Fury as the heavyweight champion because they still have unfinished business. They are scheduled to fight a third time before the end of the year, although the exact date is unclear in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

And, three, he made it clear that he intends to come back stronger than he was before his setback.

Wilder wouldn’t reveal in the interview exactly what was hanging over his head but he repeated that he wasn’t himself, which even Fury suggested might be the case. He mentioned more than once that he went into retreat mode at the opening bell, which isn’t characteristic of him.

“There are a lot of things I don’t want to talk about at this moment in time,” he said. “… I’ve been in the sport for a very long time. People have seen me fight all over the world for a very long time. So People automatically know how I am, how I should look.

“People that know boxing know that it wasn’t Deontay Wilder that night. I was a zombie that night. Like I said, I can’t talk about a lot of things, but it wasn’t Deontay Wilder that night. … [From] the first fight into the second fight it was two different people.

”… It was like I wasn’t even there, for real. I don’t know how to say it. I wasn’t there. That’s all I can tell you. From the … start, I wasn’t there, my whole body, everything. But everything is going to be alright, trust me.”

Wilder didn’t suggest he lost the fight because of the biceps injury but he mentioned it without saying which arm was injured and when it happened.

He said he’s healing nicely and looks forward to getting back in the gym. In the meantime, he’s enjoying time with his family in Alabama during lock down.

“Recovery is going well,” he said. “I’m in therapy. I ended up injuring it during my last fight, somewhere up in there. But everything is going great with it. I’m just focusing on recovery, getting myself back to full health, getting ready, hopefully, when this coronavirus is out of the way, getting back to camp and getting ready to go again sometime at the end of the year.”

He was referring to his third fight with Fury. Fury took Wilder’s alphabet title – and established himself as the top heavyweight – as a result of his seventh-round knockout in Las Vegas, but Wilder obviously believes that the fate of neither fighter has been settled.

“We can only get stronger, learn from a lot of situations and get better and better,” Wilder said. “It’s not over. In my eyes I don’t see Fury as champion. It’s still going. He ain’t champion yet. We still have got one more fight left.”

Bob Arum to explore staging Fury-Wilder III at new stadium in Las Vegas

Promoter Bob Arum told TalkBox Podcast that he would explore the possibility of staging Fury-Wilder III at the new Allegiant Stadium.

Promoter Bob Arum believes a third fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder would be big. NFL big.

Arum said on the Everlast TalkBox podcast that should Wilder give the green light for another go at Fury, he would look to stage it at the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, the still-under-construction, $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium. It is scheduled to be completed by July 31.

“If Deontay Wilder wants a rematch, it’s a big, big fight,” Arum said. “We would look at the new Raiders Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to host its first boxing match ever. It’s all good. But everybody … all the promoters, whether it’s Al Haymon or myself … we’re hopefully going to be cooperative here and not blow the moment that boxing has clawed its way back to the mainstream.”

Fury-Wilder II, which ended with Fury scoring a seventh-round knockout of Wilder, took place at the MGM Grand Garden, the home for most big-ticket fights in the gambling capital. It seats only around 17,000, however, which a third fight may outgrow. Allegiant Stadium, on the other hand, will have a seating capacity of 65,000, along with state-of-the-art technology, including retractable windows and a translucent roof meant to offer an expansive view of the Las Vegas terrain.

Of course, Wilder would have to exercise his contractual right to a third fight. He has told multiple outlets in the past few days that he has every intention of doing so.

If not, Arum believes there’s another viable fight out there for Fury: A full unification with British compatriot Anthony Joshua. Joshua is slated to take on mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, a fight that Top Rank will co-promote, in June. Nevertheless, Arum said he can pull a few strings to make what would easily be the biggest all-British heavyweight fight ever.

“If Wilder decides to delay the fight, I know we can talk to Pulev to step aside — he’s the mandatory for Joshua — and have Joshua fight Fury, which is the fight that is first place of what you want to see in the heavyweight division.”

But Arum added, “That’s all theoretical.”