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Andre Ward says ‘beat up’ Deontay Wilder will not exercise rematch clause after Tyson Fury defeat


The Bronze Bomber was comprehensively beaten by Fury in Las Vegas (Picture: Reuters)

Andre Ward does not believe Deontay Wilder will invoke his rematch clause to have a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury after his fellow American was comprehensively beaten on Saturday night.

The Bronze Bomber hit the canvas twice at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas before his corner finally threw in the towel in the seventh round as Fury claimed the WBC heavyweight title.

Ward was scathing in his assessment of Wilder’s approach, suggesting he had become a one-trick pony, and believes the brutal nature of the defeat will see him decline a rematch.

Wilder was taken apart by Fury and knocked down in the third and fifth rounds (Picture: Reuters)

‘I’ve seen his movie so many times in my 25 years in this sport,’ said Ward on ESPN after the fight.

‘These types of things can happen to anybody, but they happen often times to guys who exclusively depend on one thing and we know what that is for Deontay Wilder and that’s power.

‘He’s building his whole reputation, his whole foundation, on fear. When you have that kind of reputation and when you have all these knockouts, sometimes your team can become enamoured with you.

‘Instead of challenging you and saying, “Son, you may fire me, but I’m going to point out every flaw you have because one day we’re going to face a guy who’s not going to follow the script”.

‘Tonight, Tyson Fury did not follow the script. And often times for a puncher the fall is abrupt, and we saw that tonight.

‘I don’t believe that Deontay Wilder is going to exercise that rematch clause in the next 30 days. His pride will tell him to, but I don’t think he will and I don’t think he should.’

Asked why, he continued: ‘He’s shattered psychologically. Now that doesn’t mean he won’t ever win a boxing match ever again. But I know the psychology of a guy with that kind of reputation.

Ward retired undefeated after beating Sergey Kovalev in their rematch (Picture: Getty)

‘When it’s taken from you. He could have justified getting hit with a big shot and say he was caught cold, but you got beat up, you got out-classed and you got stopped on your feet.

‘Your team, the ones who are your biggest cheerleaders, the ones who are calling out all the good in you, thought enough of you to throw in the towel.

‘And not just any team member, but one who had a career in the sport of boxing, has been knocked out before. He knew what Wilder was going through and he saved him from getting knocked out cold.’

MORE: Tyson Fury praises Deontay Wilder in ring moments after stunning victory

MORE: Tyson Fury taunts Anthony Joshua with ‘Nigeria’ gumshield during Deontay Wilder victory





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