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.”