Deontay Wilder Officially Exercises Rematch Clause

Deontay Wilder is already preparing to redeem his loss against Tyson Fury. 

On Friday, Wilder and his team officially expressed their desire to exercised the boxer’s rematch clause. Top Rank Boxing president, Todd duBoef, then confirmed to Yahoo! Sports that Fury and Wilder will face off for a third bout later this year.

Wilder suffered the first loss of his career when Fury stopped after just seven rounds into their rematch. Since losing the WBC/lineal heavyweight title fight, Wilder’s camp has been in shambles. Wilder claims that his assistant trainer, Mark Breland, was influenced to the throw in the towel during the seventh round by Anthony Dirrell. Dirrell is a rival boxer who shares the same trainer as Fury. Although he was sitting ringside during the fight, Dirrell denies that he had any influence on Breland’s decision.

Also, Wilder believes that his legs were weakened by his entrance costume. Wilder wore an extravagant mask, cape, and chest plate to the ring which he had on for close to 15 minutes prior to his walk to the ring.

“I paid a severe price because my legs were how they were because of my uniform,” Wilder told ESPN. “My uniform was way too heavy. It was 40-plus pounds. We had it on 10 or 15 minutes before we even walked out and then put the helmet on. That was extra weight, then the ring walk, then going up the stairs. It was like a real workout for my legs. When I took it off, I knew immediately that the game had changed.”