Tyson Fury makes Deontay Wilder U-turn after cheating accusations
Tyson Fury fears Deontay Wilder is struggling with his mental health following his recent outbursts.
Wilder, who has been promoting his April clash with Derek Chisora this week, has repeatedly accused Fury of cheating during their three-fight rivalry. The heavyweights drew their first fight in 2018 before Fury stopped Wilder in their second and third encounters.
Wilder has looked a shadow of his former self since but will attempt to set himself up for another world title shot by knocking out Chisora in London on Easter weekend. Now Fury has decided to stop biting at Wilder’s accusations and instead expressed concerns over his former rival.
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“I’m sat here thinking about all the stuff Deontay Wilder has been saying recently,” Fury said in a video posted to social media. “I got dragged into posting stuff, a video of me knocking him out and whatever… I’ve just deleted it. Rather than retaliate and hate on somebody – this man really dopes have mental health issues, it’s evident to see – and rather than go back and forth with him, saying he’s deluded, I’m going to pray for him and ask God to help him.
“He obviously needs the help and I’m not getting involved in pettiness. The fights were won fair and square and that’s it. I’m going to pray for him and ask the Father to bring him back to the light. This man is lost, a lost soul, and I beg Jesus to return him to the Kingdom.”
Fury himself will return to the ring against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11. He had previously responded to Wilder’s outburst by hitting back at the American. “Wilder is and was a p****. Little b**** and a s***house also! When I put it on him in Saudi he hugged me,” he said.
One of Wilder’s complaints is the count given by referee Jack Reiss in his first meeting with Fury. The Brit was dropped in the final round but climbed off the canvas to hear the final bell. “Being a black man with dark skin is harder to believe than being a white man,” saids Wilder. “And in that first fight with the referee — that’s white supremacy. You know what he did? He said, ‘what’s best for boxing.’ No, your job is to count his a** out. He gave him an extra 15 count. It is what it is. I speak with truth, heart, and passion.”
