Deontay Wilder hailed as a 'class act', despite costume excuse for Tyson Fury loss
Deontay Wilder's five-year reign as WBC heavyweight champion came to an end at the hands of Tyson Fury last month.
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Deontay Wilder has been hailed as a 'class act' following his defeat to Tyson Fury, despite blaming the loss on his ring walk costume. The American's five-year reign as WBC heavyweight champion came to an end at the hands of 'The Gypsy King' last month in front of a sold-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The previously-undefeated Wilder suffered a seventh-round TKO loss to the Brit, with his corner throwing in the towel at the 1:39 to mercifully save him from taking any more unnecessary punishment.
Wilder put on a spirited display in his ill-fated title defence against the Brit, who he claimed was the better man in his post-fight interview.
However, a few days after the fight, the Olympic bronze medallist attributed his defeat to the extravagant costume he wore on his way to the ring - which he claimed drained him of his energy reserves.
Wilder was widely ridiculed for blaming the loss on his pre-fight attire, with many accusing him of deliberately detracting from Fury's stellar performance.
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What did impress me was that Deontay’s a world-class act
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir isn't buying the excuse, although he does believe Wilder deserves immense credit for surviving for as long as he did.
“If Deontay said the suit gassed him, what about it, what did you not do because of the suit?" Mir said during an interview with The Sportsman.
"If he said he broke his hand so I threw more lefts, now you’re not giving me an excuse, you're explaining why you fought a certain way.
“What did impress me was that Deontay’s a world-class act. He’s knocked out everyone he’s ever faced except for Fury.
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"It was a draw but he still knocked him down.
"Now he’s on the back foot from the opening bell, he’s getting his ass kicked. He didn’t really quit, he stayed in there.
"I’ve seen other fighters get knocked down that are super athletes, successful dominant guys and when they face that adversity, they run from it.
"This guy faced it in front of millions and he bent down on his mound with mud on his shield.
"That was impressive, that’s why it’ll be a good fight going forward with Fury.”
Wilder will have the opportunity to exact revenge on Fury later this year having exercised the trilogy fight clause in his contract to rematch his successor at the summit of the WBC's heavyweight rankings.
The pair, 34 and 31 respectively, were set to throw down on July 18, although the coronavirus outbreak has led to their third meeting being delayed until October 3.
Las Vegas will be the location for the third instalment of Fury vs Wilder, which is expected to once again be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.