Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather believes that Deontay Wilder is ‘still a champion’ despite his one-sided loss to Tyson Fury in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The retired undefeated American boxer posted a classy message on social media following the ‘Bronze Bomber’s’ defeat.
“Win, lose or draw… Deontay is still our brother that has accomplished many triumph.”
Mayweather subsequently tagged Wilder in the post, which carried on to say: “As a community we should all uplift and support him throughout it all. No matter what, you’re still a winner in my eyes, King!”
Coming into this fight, Wilder had 41 knockouts in 43 fights, but the boxer from Alabama was unable to land his trademark right hand on the ‘Gypsy King’ and was totally outclassed, before his corner decided to throw in the towel in the seventh round.
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Following the first defeat of his boxing career, Wilder said: “I had a lot of things going on heading into this fight. It is what it is, but I make no excuses tonight. I just wish my corner had let me go out on my shield. I’m a warrior. He had a great performance and we will be back stronger.”
Many believe, however, that Wilder’s co-trainer Mark Breland made the right decision. By the mid-point of the seventh round, Wilder was bleeding from the mouth and looked spent.
The Alabama fighter had also sustained damage to his eardrum, which resulted in him being taken to hospital for stiches following the fight’s conclusion.
The next step on the road for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is to decide whether or not he fancies a third fight with the Brit. The American has reportedly 30 days to implement this contract clause of the rematch.
When asked about the prospect of a trilogy fight, Wilder’s co-trainer Jay Deas said: “Knowing him like I do he will want the rematch. These guys have put on two tremendous fights. The public will want it. It seems natural. I think it’s what you’ll see happen.”
If Wilder decides not to go through with the match, hopes of a certain all-British heavyweight dream showdown between Fury and AJ will surely be raised.