Unseen footage from the immediate aftermath of Tyson Fury’s KO victory over Deontay Wilder shows the two fighters in a heated exchange.
Wilder released his first statement this morning since the fight, after being accused of bad sportsmanship when he refused to shake the WBC champion’s hand and left the ring without an interview after the bruising 11th round defeat.
Fans watching at home could see both fighters arguing moments after the heavyweight title fight as Fury went to Wilder’s corner, but microphones didn’t pick up the audio.
Four days later, a clip from ESPN Ringside confirmed Wilder’s unfortunate reaction, with the Alabama native heard saying: “I don’t respect you” when approached by Fury while adding “no love” as he went to exit the ring without a post-fight interview.
“Never mind love, there’s respect,” Fury replies in the video, before telling Wilder, “you got beat fair and square tonight. That’s it. I respect you because I’m a man.”
Wilder then replied: “I won’t respect you, I won’t respect you. I will never respect you.”
In response, the champion told Wilder’s agent Shelly Finkel, he was dumbfounded by the “hatred” shown by the US fighter.
“You lost fair and square, I’ve never cheated in my life, he’s got a bad hatred towards me I don’t know why,” Fury said.
“But let me tell you, he lost like a man tonight, he put me down three times [Fury was dropped twice in the fight], I put him down four [Wilder was only dropped three times].”
Wilder’s behaviour drew a strong rebuke from Fury’s father John, who said the American’s actions “would make anybody’s blood boil”.
Wilder’s manager Finkel said the fighter’s reaction should be taken with a grain of salt, and confirmed the former WBC champion does respect the English champ.
“Him and I have spoke about that and he does [respect Fury],’ Finkel told The Sun.
“I think his mind wasn’t really there, I think if Deontay saw Fury now he would give him a big embrace.”
It comes as Wilder released his first statement since the fight, although he didn’t address his behaviour in the immediate aftermath.
“Wow, what a hell of a night!” he wrote on Instagram.
“I would like to first and foremost thank God for allowing me to give the world another part of me that’s driven with passion and determination. I would like to thank my team and my fans for sticking by my side through this long process.
“I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen.
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“We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win. Although, I wanted the win I enjoyed seeing the fans win even more.
“Hopefully, I proved that I am a true Warrior and a true King in this sport. Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in.
“Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever.”
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