Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 2: Wilder media call highlights

With11 days before Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury meet for the second time, Wilder addressed the media on a conference call and had a lot to say.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury thrilled fans during their first bout in 2018, which has everyone chomping at the bit for the rematch on Saturday, Feb. 22. Wilder took the time to talk to the media via a conference call, with 11 days remaining before the pay-per-view event.

Wilder’s punching power is a hot topic and is approaching mythical proportions. He has a 95 percent knockout rating, and Fury is the only opponent Wilder hasn’t knocked out.

When asked about his power, Wilder said, “I always had power. I tell the story of how my grandmother said I was anointed by God that God is trying to use me for things.”

Wilder added, “I think I found one of my purposes in life, and it’s whoopin a** and taking names at this point in time, and I do that very well.”

Fury was badly damaged in his last bout against Otto Wallin. He suffered a gruesome cut over his right eye that required nearly 50 stitches. Wilder was asked if he thought the punishment Fury absorbed against Wallin would make a difference in their match.

“I felt like the fight should have been stopped,” said Wilder. “With a cut so deep and so wide, and you can’t even see, but I understand that he had a major fight coming up with me. He was saved because of this big fight that’s happening right now. I will be exploring some of those things. I’m definitely looking forward to re-cutting [sic] open that eye.”

One of the biggest storylines headed into the rematch is Fury’s choice to change trainers. He cut ties with Ben Davison and is now trained by Javan “Sugarhill” Steward. Wilder had an interesting take on Fury’s decision to mix things up in camp.

“He’s changing up a lot of things through his team,” said Wilder. “I thought the saying was ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’ I think he’s reorganizing that word. If anybody should be changing anything, you would think it would be me since he say he beat me by such a wide margin, but that’s even not the case. He knows what the truth was.”

Leading up to their rematch, Wilder has been critical of Fury’s punching power. FanSided asked Wilder to rank Fury’s power compared to his past opponents. His response was one part serious and another part bitingly comical.

“Going back in that fight reminiscing, I can’t tell you no rounds where I felt like I was threatened by his power,” responded Wilder. “Like I said before and many quoted me on it, and you can continue, that he has pillow-esque fists. That’s how soft they were. Maybe my adrenaline was too high for it to even feel anything.”

Wilder continued, “I don’t respect none of his power that he had. He’s just a tall, big man that can move around the ring. That’s about it. As far as power, there’s none there.”

FanSided asked Wilder to rate his previous performance against Fury. He gave a candid, honest answer.

“I would probably say 50 percent or less. I didn’t fight like I normally fight,” said Wilder. “There’s a lot of things I did that I don’t normally do.”

Wilder elaborated,” Moving forward, holding my guards high, swinging with no hope. Just doing certain things because of the excitement of the fight.”

Also on the call was Wilder’s longtime trainer and co-manager Jay Deas. Deas has been with Wilder since the very beginning. FanSided asked Deas about Wilder’s long journey as champion and how Wilder has improved as a pugilist since winning the title from Bermane Stiverne in 2015.

“I don’t think people totally get what they’re seeing,” Deas told FanSided. “Sometimes they don’t understand the nuances of the sport. We do a six-month test. Every six months, we ask ourselves, ‘Would you right now beat the you from six months ago?’ I can answer 100 percent honestly since the beginning of the first day he came in the gym, that answer has been yes. He keeps getting better and better and better and smarter and refined.”