Tyson Fury wasted no time in launching a rhetorical assault on Deontay Wilder, who withdrew from a scheduled appearance on ESPN at Louisiana State’s rout of Oklahoma Saturday in Atlanta, saying he was ill.
Fury addressed Wilder directly on Instagram in an expletive-filled post.
“This is Tyson Fury, AKA the Gypsy King,” said Fury, who was in Glendale, Arizona, for a series of interviews before Clemson’s victory over Ohio State in Saturday’s second college football playoff game. “This is a message to Deontay Wilder, the Bronze Bomber, the big (expletive).
“He’s not turned up to any of the media events today, blagging he’s got the flu, because he doesn’t wanna be in the same room as me because I’ll take him to school.”
Fury said Wilder knew he would be “humiliated” if they faced off on camera.
“His management team are afraid to put Deontay Wilder in the same room as Tyson Fury — facts. Keep him away, Al (Haymon), keep him away, Shelly (Finkel).”
Fury and Wilder were scheduled to appear at the respective games after their rematch on Feb. 22 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand was formally announced late Friday. In a series of wide-ranging interviews, Fury said he would make Wilder quit.
“He ain’t going to touch me this time,’’ said Fury, who got up from a crushing right-left combo in the 12th round of their controversial draw on Dec. 1 of last year at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. “I’m gonna make him say no mas.’’
He also called the sequel the greatest match of the era.
“Brit-versus-American, talker-versus-talker, entertainer-versus-entertainer, a pure boxer-versus-a pure power puncher,’’ Fury said. “This is the clash of styles.’’
Fury had plenty to say. Wilder had nothing to say. He didn’t show up. Then again, neither did Oklahoma.