Deontay Wilder has given another indication he will take up the option of a rematch with Tyson Fury, declaring “the war has just begun” with the British boxer.
The American heavyweight suffered the first defeat of his 44-fight career last weekend, when he was comprehensively beaten in Las Vegas by his rival before the fight was stopped in the seventh round. Fury, who remains undefeated, claimed the WBC heavyweight belt to become the sport's No 1 attraction.
Wilder, 34, has a 30-day window from the February 22 clash to invoke the rematch clause, with Fury’s promotor Bob Arum suggesting a third fight between the pair – the first ended in a controversial draw – could take place in the United States in July.
Taking to Instagram on Friday night, Wilder vowed to win back the title.
“Hello my people, my Bomb Squad army, my Bomb Squad nation, to all my loved ones around the world, I just want to let you know I am here,” he said. “Your king is here. And we ain’t going nowhere, for the war has just begun.
“I will rise again. I am strong. I am a king; you can’t take my pride. I am a warrior. I am a king that will never give up. I’m a king that will fight to the death. And if anyone don’t understand that, don’t understand what it is to go to war, don’t understand what it is to fight... we will rise again.
"We will regain the title. I will be back. We will hold our heads up high. Your king is in great spirit. We will rise like a phoenix from the ashes and regain the title. I’ll see you in a few months, for the war has just begun. All my love to all my people.”
While Wilder looks set to exercise his right for a rematch, the clamour grows for Fury to instead take on fellow Englishman Anthony Joshua in a unification bout, with Saudi Arabia mooted as a potential host. Joshua holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts.
Wilder has not helped his cause following the defeat at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, offering a number of questionable excuses as to why he was beaten. Days after the loss, he blamed his 18-kilogram pre-fight costume for tiring his legs.
On Friday, Wilder said he would not remove Mark Breland from his corner despite the trainer throwing in the towel to end the fight.
