TYSON FURY has offered an olive branch to Deontay Wilder in an attempt to end their bitter feud once and for all.
The pair share a classic heavyweight trilogy, which saw the first bout end a draw in 2018 with Fury winning the subsequent rematches in 2020 and 2021.
But Wilder has accused his British rival of cheating in the first two fights.
He accused Fury of tampering with his gloves, 2018 referee Jack Reiss of giving a long count due to “white supremacy” among other baseless claims.
On a Ring Magazine podcast, Wilder also called Fury “the biggest cheater in the history of boxing” and vowed to prove his claims in an upcoming documentary.
The American was challenged on some of his wide-ranging allegations in a talkSPORT interview ahead of his April 4 fight against Derek Chisora.
But Wilder stormed out of the studio and raised concerns about racial profiling, historic slavery and recent police brutality cases.
Fury called Wilder a “bellend” for raising the issue of colour in his row over cheating claims – but he has since changed his tune to offer peace.
He said: “I’m just sat here thinking about all the stuff that Deontay Wilder’s been saying recently.
“Even me, I sort of got dragged into posting stuff, video of me knocking him out and whatever. I’ve just deleted that actually off my story.
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder, while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
- Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV
April
- Sat 4 – Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder – DAZN PPV
- Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix
“Because, rather than me retaliating and hating on somebody, this man really does have mental health issues, it’s evident to see.
“And rather than just going back and forward with him and yada yada yada, saying he’s deluded and all that, I’m just gonna pray for him and I’m gonna ask God to help him.
“He obviously needs the help and I’m not getting involved in pettiness. The fights were won fair and square and that’s it.
“I’m going to pray for him and ask the Father to bring him back to the light because this man is lost. A lost soul. And I beg Jesus to return him to the Kingdom.”
Fury suffered mental health problems after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the unified heavyweight world titles.
But he was forced to vacate them by 2017 after falling into depression and battling substance abuse.
By 2018, Fury made a heroic return and challenged for Wilder’s belt after just two comeback fights.
Following their controversial draw, Fury, 37, dethroned Wilder, 40, of the WBC title in 2020 before winning the trilogy bout.
And he added: “Although this man probably doesn’t like me for whatever reason, dunno why because I made him a hell of a lot of money, tens of millions.
“Tough times can make people say and do crazy things. I know he’s been having a tough time with his personal life and family and stuff.
“So it’s very difficult times for Deontay Wilder. Whatever he says, I take it with a pinch of salt. I know it’s not personal.
“I hear he’s a brother in Christ these days and any brother in Christ is always welcome to come and train at mine. Whatever.
“Needs to get away, needs to do some training, my door’s always open. Even if the man don’t like me or whatever, door’s always open there for you.
“We shared some great fights over the years and I pray for him, 100 per cent.”
