“I Thought This Is Disrespectful” – Tyson Fury Says Deontay Wilder’s Comment on Mike Tyson Fueled His Comeback

For a brief period in his career, it seemed that Tyson Fury won’t return to the boxing ring. Following his win over Wladimir Klitschko, Fury was caught in a web of depression and substance abuse. However, he came back and defeated Deontay Wilder. Interestingly, it was Wilder’s comments about Mike Tyson that proved to be the motivation for Fury.

Fury defeated the Ukrainian Klitschko in November 2015. However, following the victory Fury went through a rather forgetful stretch of his personal life. He gained a lot of weight and was not even close in shape to become the Heavyweight champ of the world. However, he began training in late 2017. Following two straight victories in 2018, “The Gypsy King” went toe-to-toe with the WBC Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder.

While the fight ended in a controversial split-decision, the world acknowledged Fury’s will to come back to the top. Talking to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Fury revealed that Mike Tyson inadvertently paid a role in his return. Interestingly, Fury’s father had named him after the former Heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

“I started the regain mission to become heavyweight champion of the world again,” Fury said. “I phoned up my trainer and said I was ready to train now, I phoned up Frank Warren and said I was ready to make a comeback and he said, ‘yeah, we’ll power the comeback’.”

Fury put on his sweatsuit and decided to jog a mile. However, after half a mile he switched to walking. It was then that he saw a video of Deontay Wilder on Instagram. “The Bronze Bomber” was talking about he would knock out Mike Tyson in his heyday within one round. This ticked off Fury.

Tyson Fury thanks Deontay Wilder for inspiring him to return

“I thought this is disrespectful because Mike Tyson is 50-odd years old, Deontay Wilder is a young champion in his era. And I thought you know what, for that one comment I’m going to come back and knock you out. And he also said some stuff about me as well, he’s fat, he’ll never make a comeback, he’s too far gone,” Fury said.

“So I owe Deontay Wilder for bringing me back and giving me more inspiration to return, as well as God, and I never stopped. From this day to that day I’ve never stopped training. I’ve trained every single day since November 1, 2017.”

Fury would go on to defeat Deontay Wilder in their rematch that happened earlier this year. He knocked out the American in seven rounds. Fury is now focused upon unifying the four belts against Anthony Joshua. However, to get to that fight, he will have to go through Wilder for the third time.