US rapper Jay Electronica has labelled Deontay Wilder the "true heavyweight champion" despite his two losses to Tyson Fury.
Wilder and Fury first fought to a controversial split draw in 2018. 'The Gypsy King' outlanded Wilder for most of the fight but suffered a brutal knockdown in the last round as one judge shockingly scored seven rounds in favour of the American.
There was no controversy in their rematch and trilogy fights as Fury knocked out Wilder in both affairs, winning the WBC title in their second clash and making the first defence of the belt in their final encounter.
But despite Wilder being decisively beaten by Fury, Electronica sees 'The Bronze Bomber' as the real champion. "In my eyes, Deontay Wilder is the true heavyweight champion of the world," he wrote on Twitter.
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Wilder only started boxing in 2005 to care for his daughter, who was born with spina bifida. One Olympic bronze medal and 41 professional knockouts later, he is seen as one of the greatest knockout artist of all time in the sport.
It was recently announced that Wilder's hometown would be honouring him with a statue, of which he said: “I did not expect this. I know I’m going to set a lot of records. I’m going to break a lot of records along my journey. This is something that God is giving, not only to me but also to my state and my city.
“We will soon see people coming to the state of Alabama, going through the city of Tuscaloosa, looking at the statue. This will be something for my children, children, and grandchildren. I am very happy and grateful for this project. I’m very excited about it.”
Wilder's adversary Fury, who recently announced his retirement from boxing, thinks the Tuscaloosa is the second-best heavyweight in the world. Fury wants Wilder to fight the winner of Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 2 for his WBC title, but he is yet to make a decision over vacating the belt or not.
“I’d like to see Deontay Wilder fight whoever wins [out of Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk 2] for it again. Deontay made 10 title defences, more than anybody else, Fury told Behind the Gloves.
"He equalled Muhammad Ali’s record, beat Vitali Klitschko’s record, and doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I do believe he’s still the second-best heavyweight in the world. I believe he knocks everybody else out but me.”
