Shortly after Tyson Fury took to the stage to promote his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Apr. 11, he spoke to The Stomping Ground backstage and gave a brief statement on Deontay Wilder’s recent comments about him.
In the years since their historic trilogy, which Fury prevailed with a 2-0-1 (2 KOs) score, Wilder has vomited numerous, unsubstantiated theories for why he lost — many focusing on alleged cheating, from ‘Glove-gate’ to voodoo magic, and recently suggested he was putting it all together in a documentary to broadcast.
Fury reacted to Wilder’s claims Feb. 16, two months before his fight with Makhmudov. “I prayed for him,” he told Charlie Parsons. “I did a dig of him with a video but that’s not the best thing for somebody who’s unwell, so I did a prayer for him, asked God to help him in his life, and hope he does.”
As for Makhmudov, a twice-beaten Russian with 19 knockouts from 21 wins, Fury marveled at the size of his opponent, and labeled him a “dangerous puncher.”
Since his last loss, an eighth-round knockout suffered at the hands of Guido Vianello, Makhmudov rebounded with a first-round finish of Ricardo Brown and a convincing 12-round decision of David Allen late, last year.
“I have to be on my A-game” to win, he said. “He was a highly experienced amateur.”
His characteristic bombast, though, has not faded with time on the sidelines.
“All these are easy nights as they’re not on my level, to be fair. If I don’t believe it’s easy, it won’t be easy.”
“I’m here to make boxing great again.”
He continued: “Boxing’s been boring for 12 months, complete s***, unwatchable. GK [Gypsy King] is back in town. Who else but the Gypsy King, coming off two losses but still the biggest star in boxing. Netflix has come to me with a stonking deal. GK is back. I have to offer 60,000 fans, the biggest broadcaster on Earth, and a circus of a media. X-factor.”
And though Fury talks a big game, Makhmudov previously said, in a statement sent to Boxing Social, that he’s not heading to Britain just to make up the numbers, and vowed to bring violence into the ring. “I am thrilled about the opportunity,” he said. “I’m coming to deliver a war. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.”
For Fury, it’s not just about victory, but about rejuvenating a failing sport. “Boxing’s dead without me,” he finished. “I’m back.”