WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder returned to the United States after a trip to Italy, only to find out some news about his upcoming opponent and rival Tyson Fury.

Wilder found out about the news that unbeaten lineal champion Fury had parted ways with close friend and head trainer Ben Davison.

The latest installment in the build-up to their hugely anticipated rematch has shocked boxing fans and Wilder has expressed his opinions on the matter, with the news arriving just two months before their expected fight date.

“I heard about it. He’s trying to do his best to get himself defeated,” Wilder told BoxingScene.com.

“He’s concerned about this fight. He don’t believe the hype around him.”

Their original fight in December 2018 ended in a draw after Fury climbed up off the canvas twice, including during a miraculous 12th-round knockdown where he appeared to be out cold.

However, the Brit somehow rose to his feet and finished the 12th round fighting with his usual confidence, looking light on his feet and dodging Wilder’s huge punches.

Will things be different now for Fury without the influence of Davison in his corner, who was heavily praised for installing a masterful game plan throughout the first fight?

Not only has Davison helped Fury in the ring, he’s also been a positive influence in his personal life, getting him back down into fighting shape, following a huge struggle with mental health issues where Fury didn’t fight for 30 months.

“They seemed like they were cool from what you read, but you hear a lot of different things so who knows what was really going on,” notes Wilder.

“Sometimes, it just takes that person to take the initiative to say ‘I gotta go.’ I don’t know how much you can read into it. But it ain’t gonna matter who he gets. You can’t teach power; you can’t teach speed.

“I’ve been holding the heavyweight division down when it comes to excitement. Whatever Tyson Fury wants to do with his career and whoever training him, all he’s doing is preparing himself to be added to my career highlight reel,” Wilder added.

Fury announced he is now working with SugarHill Steward, who he previously worked with when he travelled to the United States earlier this decade.

It will be interesting to see how Fury copes without Davison in his camp as he prepares for the biggest fight of his unbeaten career.