Tyson Fury believes Deontay Wilder should return to the ring and fight for his world title if he vacates his belt due to retirement.
The 'Gypsy King' defended his WBC title for the second time when he knocked out Dillian Whyte in the sixth round of his latest defence at Wembley. Fury is now planning to hang up his gloves which could see him vacate the title he earned from his rematch victory over Wilder in 2020.
However Fury believes that his former trilogy rival would beat everyone in the heavyweight division except him, and feels the 'Bronze Bomber' deserves more credit. “I’d like to see Deontay Wilder fight whoever [wins Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk II] for it again,” Fury told Behind the Gloves.
“I don’t know how, that’s impossible (ranked number one with the WBC). He’s lost three fights in a row and is still number one rated, but that’s up to them. Deontay made 10 title defences, more than anybody else. 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, Deontay Wilder. I believe he knocks everybody else out but me.”
Fury fought Wilder three times during his career having drawn his opening showdown with Wilder in controversial fashion. However the 'Gypsy King' later made sure to avoid a repeat of the scorecards by dismissing Wilder with a brutal stoppage. The pair later met in a third battle where Fury recovered from being dropped twice to successfully defend his title and end their rivalry.
Wilder has yet to return since having surgery on his broken hand after his second defeat to Fury last year. He is contemplating hanging up his gloves but could potentially have options on the table should he elect to return, including a shot at the loser of Joshua's rematch with Usyk.
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The 'Bronze Bomber' remains ranked at No.1 with the organisation so could jump into contention for the title if Fury opts to vacate. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has backed Wilder to make a comeback this year. "He's taking it easy, he's weighing up his plans for the future, he had a very busy reign as a champion, two knockout losses to Fury, difficult but he's matured and he's doing very well," Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
"He's having a good time with his wife, he's enjoying life but I'm sure he'll be back. He's one of those fighters that you rarely see in the ring that has the ability to knock somebody out with one punch and he has had many exciting fights. He's a great fighter and great person. I'm sure he will fight this year."
Fury could yet return in a bid to become undisputed champion after his wife Paris admitted a meeting with Joshua could bring him out of any potential retirement.
