Deontay Wilder has escalated his long-running dispute with Tyson Fury, claiming Fury “definitely cheated” during their heavyweight trilogy and alleging those actions explain why Fury cannot return to the United States.
Wilder made the claims during a recent appearance connected to Ring Magazine, revisiting the first two fights of their rivalry in 2018 and 2020 and questioning how the results were handled.
“He didn’t whoop me twice at all,” Wilder said.
“I’m telling you what I know. You’re only seeing what you saw, he didn’t win nothing, they gave it to him. I can’t think of our third fight, but in two of them, he definitely cheated. I’ve got proof and evidence of that.”
The first bout ended in a split draw despite Fury being knocked down in rounds nine and twelve. Fury’s recovery from the final knockdown, under referee Jack Reiss, became one of boxing’s defining moments of the era.
Wilder has now gone further, alleging racial bias influenced the officiating.
“Being a black man with dark skin is harder to believe than being a white man,” he said.
“And in that first fight with the referee, that’s white supremacy. You know what he did? He said, ‘what’s best for boxing.’ No, your job is to count his a** out. He gave him an extra 15 count. It is what it is. I speak with truth, heart, and passion.”
‘Sue me for defamation’
Wilder doubled down on his accusations by directly challenging Fury to take legal action if the claims are false.
“Why do you think he can’t come back to America?” Wilder said. “The man cheated. He’s the biggest cheater in boxing history. If I’m lying, then please tell him to sue me for defamation of character so that I have the proof. I can’t wait.”
He added that his evidence would feature in a future documentary and film project.
“When I do my documentary and movie about it, it’s going to be presented,” Wilder said. “I’m going to bring the people, and the artefacts, I know.”
Fury response and US situation
Fury has previously rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing and dismissed claims of cheating following the trilogy, which he won decisively in the second and third fights. He has also pushed back against accusations from Wilder in past interviews.
It is true that Fury has been unable to enter the United States in recent years. His brother Tommy Fury confirmed the situation in 2022 during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani*.
“Me and Tyson just can’t get into America at the minute and that’s the way it is,” Tommy Fury said.
Reports have linked the issue to Fury’s past association with boxing adviser Daniel Kinahan, who was later sanctioned by the United States. Fury has insisted he cut all ties in 2020.
“That was from 2017 to 2020,” Fury said in 2022. “That’s it. Done. End of. I have nothing to hide.”
