Deontay Wilder says he was not surprised by Tyson Fury's success
Saturday 5 December 2015 10:02, UK
Deontay Wilder says he was not suprised by Tyson Fury's victory over Wladimir Klitschko but insists he is still convinced he can take the belts from the new champion.
WBC champion Wilder (35-0-KO34) - known as 'The Bronze Bomber' - was quick to call out Fury in the wake of the British fighter's stunning success in Dusseldorf, which saw him snatch the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.
The pair traded insults on social media and Fury has said he is unlikely to be drawn to fight Wilder, instead focusing his attentions on a re-match with Klitschko next summer.
Wilder told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was not surprised I actually predicted it. I said if he took the fight seriously he would have a great percentage chance of winning. Klitschko is getting older and he was used to fighting smaller fighters and he got out of his comfort zone, and the teaching of Emanuel Steward, and he got into a new style of clinching and holding and he wasn't used to it.
"But he was fighting two men in there that night; he was not only fighting Fury he was fighting the man with the cane and the glasses, the one who looks around at your career and when the time comes he comes - and that's Father Time. You could see he was trying to get off punches but his mind was saying one thing and his body was saying something else. I think Father Time is knocking at his door."
In a further twist, heavyweight contender Vyacheslav "Czar" Glazkov has passed on a January 16 shot against Wilder and instead chosen to pursue a mandatory IBF title shot against Fury, a move which has angered the new British champion's camp, as the threat of Fury being stripped of his IBF belt looms large. Wilder has sympathy for the new champion.
He said: "They are not giving Fury enough time to prepare. The man has just won the belts man, I feel they should give him a chance to enjoy it but they are rushing him and I don't think that is fair to him.
"At the end of the day I will unify the division and bring all the belts back to America. Now all the mandatorys want to fight Fury rather than come to me. I want to be the part and look the part. When it is time for me to come and collect, they are coming back to America I promise you that."
Wilder has welcomed the news that his former sparring partner David Haye is returning to the ring, and believes it can only be for the good of the sport - and fight fans.
He said: "I had a lot of great moments with David Haye. He is a great guy and a great person and I hear he is coming back. I think he will create interest and excitement for the heavyweight division for the fans. After his fight (against Mark De Mori) we will see what develops. I hope he can deliver the goods."
