How Was Mike Tyson A Factor In Tyson Fury Vs. Deontay Wilder?

Tyson Fury was on top of the world following his 2015 win over Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015. The “Gypsy King” won the WBA, IBF, IBO, and The Ring Heavyweight Titles via unanimous decision. From there, suspensions, drugs, and alcohol took over his life. It took until 2018 for him to get clean and come back to the sport he loves.

Was there a factor in his comeback that people may not have known about?

Speaking with WBC Talks on Facebook Watch, Fury (30-0-1) discussed his comeback and his desire to be a champion again. It all started with a talk with Frank Warren, a run, and a look at social media.

“That day I got my sweatsuit on and I intended to jog one mile, just one…I stopped and I walked,” Fury stated, via Boxing Scene. “And, as I was walking, I was looking on Instagram at some videos. I started the regain mission to become heavyweight champion of the world again. I phoned up my trainer and said I was ready to train now, I phoned up Frank Warren and said I was ready to make a comeback and he said, ‘yeah, we’ll power the comeback’. That day I got my sweatsuit on and I intended to jog one mile, just one, and I didn’t get half a mile without stopped.

“I stopped and I walked, and as I was walking I was looking on Instagram of some videos and I saw a video that Deontay Wilder had done and he said that he could knock out Mike Tyson in one round in his heyday. And I thought this is disrespectful because Mike Tyson is 50-odd years old, Deontay Wilder is a young champion in his era. And I thought you know what, for that one comment I’m going to come back and knock you out.”

Wilder (42-1-1), who won the WBC Heavyweight Title in 2015, defended it seven times from 2015 to March 2018. Six of those wins came by way of knockout. Fury ended up coming back in 2018 and beat Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta in a two-month span. He faced Wilder in a December bout that year and went all the way with the “Bronze Bomber”, fighting to a split-decision draw. Wilder hit a huge right in the twelfth that knocked Fury down, but he miraculously recovered.

The two fought in a rematch this past February, with Fury controlling the entire bout. Wilder was knocked down twice and his corner threw in the towel in the seventh. As a result, Fury won the WBC Heavyweight Title to go with the lineal title. The loss and the build to the two fights, in general, could be a result of Wilder’s past comments. Not only did he take on “Iron” Mike, but he mentioned a few words about Fury. This motivated Fury.

“And he also said some stuff about me as well, he’s fat, he’ll never make a comeback, he’s too far gone. So I actually owe Deontay Wilder for bringing me back and giving me more inspiration to return, as well as God, and I never stopped,” Fury went on to say. “From this day to that day I’ve never stopped training. I’ve trained every single day since November 1, 2017.”

The two are scheduled to compete in a rematch sometime in November or December. As for Mike Tyson (50-6, 2 NC), he is getting ready for a comeback fight for a charity bout.