WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is backing his former foe, Deontay Wilder, to beat everyone in the heavyweight division.
Fury faced Wilder a total of three times – with their last encounter taking place back in 2021.
In 2018, the two boxers fought to a controversial twelve round split draw. Fury overcame two knockdowns to reach the final bell.
The rematch took place in early 2020, with Fury dropping Wilder twice and securing a seventh round stoppage to capture the WBC world title.
In the third meeting, it was pure fireworks. Fury was dropped twice, but dropped Wilder three times to eventually win by knockout in the eleventh round.
Fury believes his sheer size is what allowed him to survive Wilder’s deadly one-punch power.
“I think my sheer size and weight has a lot to do with him not being able to knock me out cold. He hits a guy 6ft 3ins and 225-pounds, they’re nailed to the canvas. But a guy 6ft 9ins and 277-pounds – size matters,” Fury said, according to The Sun.
Wilder has since bounced back after suffering back to back defeats to Fury. Last fall, he blew away Robert Helenius in a single round – with a single punching knocking Helenius out cold.
Last year, the WBC ordered Wilder and former unified champion Andy Ruiz to collide in a final eliminator. The two sides have been negotiating, but the contest is still in limbo.
Whether it’s Ruiz or a different top contender at the weight – Fury would pick Wilder to beat them.
“My most formidable opponent was Deontay Wilder. All three times it could’ve been curtains for me at any second. He knocked out every single person that he ever fought, apart from me. I’d back him to beat everybody in the division apart from myself,” Fury said.
Credit: BoxingScene