By Paul Murphy-
WBC heavyweight champion, Deontey Wilder, has rubbished Tyson Fury’s ‘invisible’ lineal title, which the American has branded as meaningless.
The Alabama heavyweight’s attack came after Fury’s next opponent was announced as American heavyweight, Otto Wallin, unbeaten in 20 fights. Wallin has not faced very stiff opposition in his 20 fights, and remains untested. He faces Fury on September 14 in Las Vegas.
Wilder, who has never held back in his criticism of Fury’s opponents has slammed the Englishman’s choice of opponent and rubbished his claim to be a lineal champion.
STUPID
Labelling the claim to an unrecognised belt as ”stupid”, he told Boxing Scene.Com:
“It’s just stupid to me, this lineal thing. “They’re trying to create something new in boxing. When have we ever seen a lineal champion fight 12 rounds for an invisible title? He don’t have nothing. All they say is ‘lineal, lineal.’ What does it really mean, though? It don’t really mean nothing, at the end of the day.”
“It was invisible, we didn’t see s***, he’s talking about lineal, I didn’t see one belt, when did we start making 12-round fights for invisible things?
Wilder’s rubbishing of Fury’s claim to be a lineal heavyweight champion, follows an earlier ridicule by current undisputed world heavyweight champion, Andy Ruiz, who also teased Fury for claiming an invisible belt.
RIDICULOUS
The American then went on to criticise Fury’s whole campaign as ”ridiculous”. He said:
“It’s getting ridiculous at this point, and now the ultimate thing, they are coming out with Otto. That is ridiculous.
“He keeps pulling out all these night shift graveyard workers and fighting them and talking about how he’s the best. That’s bulls*** at its best.
“No Englishman is coming over here talking about how he’s saving America with Tom Schwarz and Otto whoever-he-is and talking about how he’s the best with an invisible belt. Nah, ai’.
Right: Otto Willan Image: Sky Sports
JOKE
Wilder continued his verbal assault on Fury. He added:
”With Fury, he’s a joke overall,” Wilder said. “This lineal stuff is crazy. It don’t look good for boxing to do that. And then you go and fight lower opposition. Like, who is this other guy [Wallin]? Everybody’s putting their titles on the line against tough opposition. But he’s not a champion, so we can understand his behaviour and the selection of opponents he’s chosen,”
SAD
“You know, it’s just sad,” Wilder said. “But I just sit back. I don’t really say too much. I let it be built up, until the time comes. We need people to get into something. You’ve got fans that wanna believe this and wanna believe that.
You’ve got fans that like the entertainment of what’s going on. And you’ve got some fans that can see through it. But at the end of the day, I think it’s built for an amazing fight the second time around. And the truth will reveal itself in the ring that night of the fight, that’s for sure.”
Wilder faces Cuban Luis Ortiz in a challenging rematch on September 28, whilst Anthony Joshua faces Andy Ruiz later this year, on a date yet to be confirmed. Both fights are on paper much tougher than that faced by Fury, with the stakes high for both Wilder and Joshua.
Image: Sky Sports