Mike Tyson has urged Deontay Wilder to stop feeling sorry for himself after his loss to Tyson Fury.
Wilder’s five-year reign as WBC heavyweight champion came to an end in February at the hands of The Gypsy King.
The American suffered a seventh-round TKO defeat in front of a sold-out crowd at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, with his corner throwing in the towel at the 1:39 mark to mercifully prevent him from taking any more unnecessary punishment.
Wilder was quick to give Fury his just dues after suffering his first professional loss, hailing the 31-year-old for his stellar performance.
But a few days removed from their multi-million-pound rematch, Wilder majorly detracted from Fury’s career-defining victory by attributing his loss to the extravagant outfit he wore during his ring walk – which he claimed drained his energy reserves.
Like many others, Tyson was baffled by Wilder’s excuse for his maiden loss and has urged his fellow countryman to suck it up and take it on the chin.
“[Wilder] feels like giving up, ‘Oh, my life is over. ‘I’ve made $90 million (£73 million). My life is over. Oh God, I want to die,'” the former undisputed heavyweight champion said during a recent episode of his Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast. “Grow up.”
“Keep going through it until it’s really over.”
Wilder will have the opportunity to exact revenge on Fury later this year having exercised the trilogy fight clause placed in his contract to rematch the lineal-heavyweight champion.
Although he was resoundingly beaten by Fury, who dominated the contest from the very first exchange, Tyson believes Wilder should continue to fight with confidence.
He added: “Wilder can still make a lot of money. He shouldn’t feel sad or discouraged. And he should continue to go out there and fight with a lot of zest and confidence.”
Unlike their first meeting, Wilder was forced to march to the beat of Fury’s drum, with the Brit dictating the pace of the contest and, surprisingly, being the aggressor.
And after seeing Fury have his way with The Bronze Bomber, Tyson isn’t confident of his countryman’s chances of avenging his first loss.
“Listen, he didn’t fight the same fight as he fought the first fight,” he said. “The first fight, [Wilder] fought with confidence like he could win.
“In this fight, he fought like he didn’t have no zest, no life in him. I don’t think he was the same fighter after the first fight.
“After the first fight, [Wilder] couldn’t rise to the occasion again.”
Wilder and Fury were on course to renew their rivalry in Las Vegas on July 18.
Their third meeting, however, has been postponed until October due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has wreaked havoc with the sporting calendar.
Trending
- Tinubu appoints renowned banker Jim Ovia as Chair of NELFUND
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC boss Olukoyede to face criminal trial for contempt of court
- President Tinubu appoint CEOs for two agencies
- Breaking: Veteran Yoruba actor, Ogunjimi is dead
- EX-PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS DEMISE OF SIDI ALI, DR. BAFFA YO
- Japa Crises: 58,000 of 130,000 registered doctors renewed licence, says MDCN
- 34-Km Ikorodu-Itokin Road Reconstruction: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Senator Abiru Pay Thank You Visit To Works Minister, Umahi, Make Case For Road Dualisation
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC Chairman’s conduct suggest vendetta, not fight against corruption – Concerned APC chieftains