Deontay Wilder was utterly oblivious to the fate that awaited him as he walked to the ring in his most infamous ring attire.
In 2020, Wilder was a 42-0-1 wrecking ball heavyweight that many thought could overcome his vulnerabilities through extra-concussive punching. Wilder went into his most fateful night having no idea what would transpire during the devastation of losing his heavyweight title in a rematch with Tyson Fury.
Looking at his pre-fight mindset, Wilder never had one iota of doubt but could be guilty of taking Fury far too lightly after knocking ‘The Gypsy King’ down badly in the final round of their first meeting in 2018.
Before the American suffered a first career defeat at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a quick look at the pre-fight notes indicates the now former champion’s mindset. Wilder, who was stopped in seven rounds at the MGM Grand, was asked point-blank if he had concerns about Fury’s power.
Unaware of the juggernaut heading his way, Wilder believed Fury could not back up his words despite numerous warnings from the man himself. Asked before fight week if he was worried about Fury’s bad intentions, Wilder was as non-plussed as he was unmoved.
“I really don’t know what their plans are, what he’s going to do, or what he’s not going to do,” said Wilder. “But I don’t know what is true about what he’s saying [second-round knockout] and what is not true. I know that I’m prepared for anything he brings to the table.”
Giving some insight into how his training camp had gone, Wilder admitted he may have overtrained for the February 22 date.
“I’m overly prepared for whatever. So if you want to bring the fight, then come on. Let’s make it happen. That’ll benefit me more than anything, him coming full at me.
“So I hope they stick with that game plan and follow it through. And that they aren’t just talking for hype. Do what you say you’re going to do. I’m looking forward to it.”
Wilder continued. “If he does that, it will make the fight more interesting. It will hype the fight up even more. So we’ll see what happens.”
Mentioning the knockdown, which also would have given Fury extra motivation, Wilder stated, “Deep down in his heart, I really feel that he’s nervous. I really think that he’s very, very nervous from the first time what happened. When you knock a person down and give him a concussion, you never forget that. You never forget who did it to you and how they did it.
“When you crawl back in the ring with him a second time to relive that moment all over again, there has to be stress. You definitely can’t sleep at night.
“If anybody should be changing up anything, you would think it would be me. Since he’s saying, he beat me by a wide margin. But that’s not even the case. He knows what the truth is. I’m looking forward to it. So I hope he’s a man of his word because I’m every bit a man of my word. February 22 should be a sign for all of us.”
Wilder looked helpless at times as Fury mauled him from the off and ripped away his green and gold belt. He had no idea what Tyson Fury was capable of in his relentless mood on fight night.
In the end, Deontay Wilder never stood a chance.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
