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Deontay Wilder, 34, who lost his first career fight on Saturday when he was absolutely dominated by Tyson Fury, says he is “definitely” exercising his rematch clause for a summer trilogy fight against the 31-year-old Fury.
Additionally, Wilder told Lance Pugmire of The Athletic that he believes his legs were weakened by the 45-pound costume that he chose to wear prior to the fight as he walked into the ring.
Full story coming to @TheAthleticBOX shortly: Deontay Wilder @BronzeBomber tells me he is definitely exercising his rematch clause for a summer trilogy against @Tyson_Fury, that his legs were weakened by his 45-pound costume he wore to the ring to honor Black History Month.
— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) February 24, 2020
Wilder, who had not lost in any of his previous 43 fights, suffered a TKO defeat when his corner threw in the towel in Round 7 at the 1:39 mark. Following the fight, Wilder expressed that he wishes his team had let him keep fighting despite how clearly he was being dominated.
“Things like this happen. The best man won. My coach threw in the towel and I was ready to go out on my shield. I make no excuses tonight. I just wish that my corner would’ve let me go out on my shield. I’m a warrior,” Wilder said in his post-fight interview.
A summer fight between Wilder and Fury would be the third bout between the pair. Wilder vs. Fury I, which took place at the Staples Center on December 1, 2018, ended in a controversial split draw, with the scorecards at 115–111 for Wilder, 114–112 for Fury, and 113–113. Fury then went on to win the rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 22.
“The king has returned,” Fury said to the Vegas crowd following the epic victory.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com