Deontay Wilder blames his elaborate ring-walk costume which is said to be worth $40,000 and weighs about 40 pounds for his defeat to British boxer, Tyson Fury in their WBC heavyweight title bout on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The American who initially claimed he was not going to make an excuse for his defeat and blamed his corner for throwing in the towel so early, in his latest statement on the fight, said his costume was too heavy and he “didn’t have the legs” for the fight after he took them off.
Wilder also told US media he will exercise his rematch clause for a third fight against Fury.
“Fury didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is that my uniform was way too heavy for me,” Wilder told Yahoo.
Wilder said the costume, which featured armour, a mask and a crown, weighed at least 40 pounds (18.1kg) and was a tribute to Black History Month.
Fury was carried to the ring on a throne, while also wearing a crown.
“I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight – in the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through,” added Wilder.
“I was only able to put it on [for the first time] the night before but I didn’t think it was going to be that heavy.
“I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything.”
Fury floored Wilder with a jab and right-hand combination in the third round before a left hand to the body sent the previously unbeaten Wilder down again in the fifth.
Wilder was taken to hospital after the fight but said he did not suffer a concussion, broken eardrum or broken jaw as had been speculated, but did require stitches to close a cut in his ear.
He also criticised assistant trainer Mark Breland for stopping the fight.
“I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we’ve talked about this many times and it’s not emotional,” he said.
“It is not an emotional thing, it’s a principle thing. We’ve talked about this situation many, many years before this even happened.
“I said as a warrior, as a champion, as a leader, as a ruler, I want to go out on my shield.
“So I told my team to never, ever, no matter what it may look like, to never throw the towel in with me because I’m a special kind. I still had five rounds left. No matter what it looked like, I was still in the fight.”
“I understand he was looking out for me and trying to do what he felt was right, but this is my life and my career and he has to accept my wishes.”
Wilder has 30 days to invoke the rematch clause in his contract in order to try and reclaim the title from Fury, having drawn their first encounter in December 2018.
Why most people are not buying his excuses and are delighted that he has been finally beaten and out boxed by the man once called ‘fat’, his wife to be, Telli Swift on Monday, took to her Instagram to put out a lovely message. She even touched on a possible third bout between Wilder and Tyson Fury.
The famous Atlanta WAG, Telli Swift taking to her Instagram account to share her thoughts about the heavy defeat her husband suffered, said:
“Deontay you are and will always be a King with the tenacious heart of a warrior who has elevated the Heavyweight division back to its glory days in the US, you’ve never backed down and never will from any opponent and I am confident you will fulfill all of your dreams! And the journey continues with the same end goal,
“One face one name one champ,” she said.
Adding further, Telli Swift continued by saying:
“Deontay you showed us what Strength, Passion, and Courage looks like. You showed the world what it takes to Be A Champion. Most people have no idea just how hard you train, the blood, sweat, and tears you put into this sport for other people’s entertainment. To me and to so many that know and love you, you’re still and forever will be the champ! You’re the people’s champ and we all know you what you do for our culture”.
“One moment in time does not define your legacy, your legacy is created throughout time and we will continue to do just that. A bump in the road doesn’t stop you from reaching your desired destination!
I love you, the kids love you, and you are loved by so many.
Continue to give god the glory so we can get back our belt! @bronzebomber#WilderFury3 here we come!! #thesagacontinues #stillourchamp#bombzquad,” she added.