Fury On Wilder Fighting Opetaia

Tyson Fury believes Deontay Wilder has no business stepping into a ring with Jai Opetaia.

Fury, who faces Opetaia later this month, told Bad Left Hook that Wilder should have retired after their third fight in 2021. The former WBC heavyweight champion is instead scheduled to appear on Fury's undercard against the reigning IBF cruiserweight titleholder, a move Fury called "silly" for Wilder's safety. "He shouldn't be in the ring. He shouldn't be nowhere near a ring," Fury said, per the report.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury on Ticketmaster →

Wilder's Decline After Chisora Fight

Fury pointed to Wilder's October performance against Derek Chisora as evidence his old rival is shot. Chisora absorbed Wilder's power punches without trouble, a stark contrast to the one-round demolition Fury believes would have occurred five years ago. "Chisora is like 145 years old and he was taking Wilder's knockout power shots that are not there anymore, flush in the face, not even budging him," Fury said.

Fury suggested financial pressure is driving Wilder to continue fighting despite clear physical decline. He called the situation a "dying shame" and a "sad state of an affair," noting that many all-time greats have made similar comebacks for money.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury on Ticketmaster →

The Fury-Opetaia card takes place November 23 in Saudi Arabia.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — ‘He shouldn’t be in the ring’: Tyson Fury doesn’t want to see Deontay Wilder fight Jai Opetaia