Tyson Fury talked to the media via a Zoom call a little over a week until his third bout against Deontay Wilder. Here’s what the WBC champ had to say.
Tyson Fury hasn’t fought since February 2020. He thrashed Deontay Wilder on that night for the round 7 TKO and the WBC heavyweight title. After a year out of the ring, questions swirl about Fury’s fitness and preparedness going up against a seething Wilder who’s hungry for revenge.
Fury answered those questions like a pro during his Sept. 29 media call ahead of his Oct. 9 bout with Wilder. His wit and confidence were on full display, and Fury allayed fears that his spirit and physical fitness have deteriorated.
“I’m very motivated, focused, and determined, and I can’t wait for Oct. 9,” said Fury in his opening statement of the media call. “I wish it was this weekend.”
Fury continued, “I’ve never had a bad training camp, and I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m injury-free, which is the most important thing. I’m really looking forward to it, and I can’t wait.”
After Fury contracted COVID-19 in July, forcing the fight to be pushed back, some thought Fury needed the extra time to get into better condition. He opposed those theories from the very beginning.
Tyson Fury emphasized his physical and mental fitness as he heads into his third boxing bout against Deontay Wilder on Oct. 9
Fury has a history of mental health struggles, which he is candid about. He opened up to FanSided about his mental health in 2019.
“There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about going back to darkness,” Fury told FanSided in 2019. “The thing is you just have to take one day at a time and not look too far into the future and just be happy and thankful for what we have today.”
FanSided revisited that conversation with Fury during the press call.
“I never feel like the mental health struggles can jeopardize my fights because all the time I’m training, I’m keeping fit, and I’ve got a goal, and I’m motivated,” said Fury. “Then I don’t get down, depressed, or anxious. That’s why I train every single day of my life, and I don’t take no time off.”
Fury was serious when needed, cracked jokes which showed his comfortability, and talked tough about Wilder to demonstrate his self-belief.
Fury closed, “It’s nearly that time of the year again where I take over Las Vegas, and it becomes the home of ‘The Gypsy King,’ and just remember that I plan to smash Deontay Wilder to bits….and I will.”