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Deontay Wilder Has 'Changed His Mind' After Refusing To Shake Tyson Fury's Hand

Deontay Wilder Has 'Changed His Mind' After Refusing To Shake Tyson Fury's Hand

"I think his mind wasn’t really there, I think if Deontay saw Fury now he would give him a big embrace."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Deontay Wilder does respect Tyson Fury and if they did meet again, he would give The Gypsy King "a big embrace", according to his manager.

It will go down as one of the best heavyweight bouts in recent memory.

After being dropped twice in the fourth round, the inevitable Fury stopped Wilder with a devastating right hand in the 11th round to retain his WBC belt.

Image credit: PA
Image credit: PA

Then, in the aftermath of his victory, the 33-year-old Brit went over to Wilder's corner to shake his hand but The Bronze Bomber appeared to snub his advances; a decision that was criticised by many fans.

Fury opened up about the incident in his post-fight press conference.

"I said, 'Well done.' And he said, 'I don't wanna show any sportsmanship or respect'. I said, 'No problem'," he said.

"I was very surprised by that but he's a sore loser, an idiot."

Fury added: "To be a top fighting man, you've got to show guts and respect and he couldn't do it tonight. And that's it.

"I'm a sportsman and I went over to him to show some love and respect and he didn't want to give it back.

"He couldn't do it so I'll pray for him. I'm just thankful we all got out the fight in one piece and go home to our lovely families.

"All the allegations that were made towards me... we fought like two warriors in there and I went over to shake his hand and say, 'Well done' and he was like, 'No, I don't respect you'.

"I was like, 'How can you say I cheated when you know in your heart, and your full team knows, that you just got beaten fair and square'.

"He's just a sore loser in boxing. I'm sure he's not the first one and he won't be the last one."

Image credit: PA
Image credit: PA

Several days after the handshake snub, Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel has claimed the American would now have a different approach to the post-fight meeting.

He also said Wilder's mind "wasn't really there" immediately after the contest.

"Him and I have spoke about that and he does [respect Fury],' Finkel told The Sun.

"I think his mind wasn't really there, I think if Deontay saw Fury now he would give him a big embrace."

Deontay Wilder and promoter Shelly Finkel during the 2018 press conference. Image credit: PA
Deontay Wilder and promoter Shelly Finkel during the 2018 press conference. Image credit: PA

Finkel also claimed The Bronze Bomber appreciates Fury's in-ring performance in Las Vegas.

"He's doing well, he gives all credit to Fury to perform the way he did," he continued.

"But early in the fight Deontay, probably around the third round, when he got hit, he got hit by the ear and it threw his equilibrium off.

"And I was watching and I said, 'What happened to his legs?' Because he trained so hard.

"He also, somewhere in the middle rounds, broke his right hand behind the third knuckle and he has to have that fixed next week.

"He has to have surgery, the knuckle is OK, it's the bone behind the knuckle that broke."

Featured Image Credit: BT Sport/PA

Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing, Deontay Wilder