Boxing
Mike Tyson questions Deontay Wilder's motivation ahead of Tyson Fury trilogy fight
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Mike Tyson has questioned whether Deontay Wilder actually believes he can beat WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury or if his fellow American is simply looking for a "big payday".
Speaking to ESNews, the former two-time world heavyweight champion expressed his concerns about Wilder's motivation.
“I like Wilder, but is he going in there to win, or is he going in there for a big payday?” Tyson said. "They should go all out for five or six rounds. If you catch him, you catch him. Go all out, win or lose.”
The 55-year-old also admitted he saw some of himself in Wilder following the Bronze Bomber's loss to Fury last year.
Wilder made a number of outlandish excuses following his loss, including blaming his ring walk costume for being too heavy and claiming Fury was fighting with loaded gloves.
"Wilder’s stuff’s a lot of energy that I once had. We have to be able to accept our mistakes, stand up and say, ‘Hey, I messed up, the best man won.’" Tyson told Yahoo Sports. "I don’t know anything about beating Fury in the third fight. In order for him to do that, he’s gonna have to beat himself in life. He’s his biggest opponent at this moment in life. He is not gonna stand a chance with Fury if he doesn’t beat himself.”
