Deontay Wilder punched by Gazza ringside at Tyson Fury fight
DEONTAY WILDER took one more punch than he was expecting last night when Paul Gascoigne swung a jovial fist at him.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder SEPARATED by security in Belfast
Wilder was in Belfast for Tyson Fury’s second fight of the year against Francesco Pianeta and got in the ring afterwards to confirm his next bout: Wilder vs Fury in Las Vegas in November.
The American had already made headlines in Northern Ireland after a shouting match with Fury in the lobby of the Europa Hotel and chasing his heavyweight rival’s close friend Billy Joe Saunders out of a Nando’s after having a piece of chicken thrown at him.
But he was also snapped in a more friendly altercation with “Gazza”, who was also ringside at Fury’s comeback in Manchester back in June.
The legendary former England international is a big boxing fan and took the opportunity of his prime seats to introduce himself to Wilder, and even threw a gentle punch at his jaw.
“Deontay Wilder, you done well you did not go down,” Gascoigne wrote on Twitter.
“But that was not a bad kidney punch ok see u in Vegas.”
He added: “Wow I punched wilder and kissed Tyson.
“I’ll see you’s in Vegas.”
Wilder and Fury were supposed to fight back in 2016 when the Brit, fresh from winning WBA, WBO and IBF honours against Wladimir Klitschko, challenged him in the ring in the US.
However, Fury’s well-publicised battles with depression and cocaine use saw him vacate the titles that are now held by Anthony Joshua.
But the “Gypsy King” has never held the WBC strap and vowed to leave the boxing world in no doubt as to his level of fitness when he heads to Las Vegas.
“We have two men who will fight anyone," Fury said.
"This man has been trying to make a fight with another chump.
"They called, I answered. I said: 'Send me the contract.' They sent the contract. I said 'yes'.
“And now he gets his chance to fight the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.
“I got my rounds here tonight, my 10 rounds but one thing I promise when I go to Las Vegas is I’m knocking [Wilder] the f*** out.”
But not everyone in British boxing shares Fury’s confidence.
Tony Bellew, who was a world champion at cruiserweight but most recently beat David Haye in back-to-back heavyweight contests, reckons the former world champion has bitten off more than he can chew.
“At the minute it’s a bit of a freak show with Tyson Fury,” Bellew told Sky Sports.
“He is definitely not ready for Deontay Wilder.
"I don’t think he’d ever beat Wilder.
“Tyson Fury is a vulnerable heavyweight, there’s no two ways about that. He is not a big man who can absorb everything.
“He is vulnerable and he can be hurt, and when you are coming across guys with the speed and explosive power, like Deontay Wilder it isn’t good.
“Fury against Wilder would be over in three rounds, at the most.”