Tyson Fury understands that the most memorable fighters are talented promoters too, and he has sold the last fight of his heavyweight trilogy to Deontay Wilder with the skills of a businessman.
The undefeated British champion has taunted and altered Wilder throughout the unfolding of their climactic confrontation for the WBC heavyweight world title on Saturday night in Las Vegas, usually doing it bare-chested wearing a made jacket. to measure. Fury’s confidence and charisma in both fighters’ public appearances throughout the extended process leading to this weekend has convinced many in the boxing world that another coronation – and a more violent flogging – is yet to be seen.
“He refuses to accept it and he’s going to get knocked out,” Fury said. “His legacy is little. I knocked him out and now I’m going to withdraw him ”.
However, behind Fury’s promotional theatricality lies an undercurrent of frustration.
Fury is fed up with Wilder’s bizarre eccentricities and a bit annoyed by the boxing intrigues that forced him into a third edition of a fight that he has previously won twice. While Fury is confident in his superior abilities, knowing that Wilder’s power of one strike is formidable, putting all his effort at risk of disappearing in an instant.
And while Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) will make millions of dollars for this feature in pay-per-view at the T-Mobile Arena on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, Wilder’s insistence on a rematch prevented Fury from agreeing to the match he really wanted against fellow British champion Anthony Joshua.
Fury also feels some empathy, as he believes Wilder (42-1-1, 41 knockouts) is grappling with some of the same mental health battles that Fury faces every day, issues that threatened to derail his career entirely. as he headed to the first fight of this trilogy.
“We expect nothing less than a knockout,” said Sugarhill Steward, Fury’s coach.
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