DEONTAY WILDER has spoken out ahead of arch rival Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury was dethroned of the WBC title he won from Wilder in 2020 following a split-decision defeat to Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
The beaten Gypsy King survived a brutal ninth-round onslaught after being held up by the ropes.
And after the first loss of his professional career, Fury has invoked his right to an immediate rematch which is eyed for November or December.
Wilder – who lost twice and drew with Fury as part of an epic trilogy – was probed on the fight and Usyk’s near-stoppage victory.
He said: “I thought it was a great fight. I was on the fence of things, I didn’t know who was going to win.
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“I always think it’s what dog brings what bite to the fight and Oleksandr’s bite was bigger than his.
“I think he [Usyk] got robbed in the ninth round of a knockout for sure, gifts were given.
“The rematch, who knows, it’s all about what person brings what dog to the fight.
“Many times we have good days and we have bad days, you just never know.
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For all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…
“If I had to pick I would say Usyk but let’s see what happens.”
Wilder, 38, returns in Saudi against Zhilei Zhang, 41, representing Eddie Hearn in the series of 5v5 bouts against Frank Warren’s pick.
The American has not fought since his December points loss to Joseph Parker, 32, which saw a £100million deal with Anthony Joshua, 34, axed.
And Wilder admitted it is a make-or-break bout that could even be the final of his boxing career.
He said: “I like Zhang, I like his fighting style, I like his big head, it’s going to be a big target to hit, it’s an easy target to hit.
“This is like a be all and end all opportunity for us, and when it’s like that you get the best of both fighters.
“This could be the end of my career, this could be the end of his career, it’s going to be exciting on Saturday night to see what happens.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
