Tyson Fury has labelled former rival Deontay Wilder as “silly” for taking on Jai Opetaia, while his camp has dismissed injury claims ahead of his fight with Anthony Joshua.
Former heavyweight world champion, Wilder will face WBA cruiserweight titlist, Opetaia in a heavyweight clash on the undercard of Fury’s long-awaited meeting with Anthony Joshua on December 11 in Cardiff.
The Wilder vs Opetaia fight will be the latter’s first fight at heavyweight.
However, Fury believes Wilder, who he shared three epic battles with, should not still be fighting.
Fury stopped the American twice after a drawn first bout.
Fury slams Wilder vs Opetaia
“Silly really for Deontay’s part,” the 38-year-old said to Fight Hype. “He shouldn’t be in a ring.
“He shouldn’t be nowhere near a ring. It’s a dying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he’s shot to bits.
“He never should have fought again after I beat him the last time. That should have been the end of it.
“But needs must.”
Before facing Opetaia, Wilder secured a split decision victory over Derek Chisora in his last outing in April.
Although Wilder dropped Chisora twice, Fury feels Wilder’s failure to stop the British veteran is proof of his diminished power.
“Him and Chisora looked shockingly terrible when they fought,” he added.
“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.
“It’s a shame, because if you would have matched those two five years ago it wouldn’t have lasted one round.”
Fury’s comments suggest he expects Wilder to struggle against Opetaia, who is unbeaten and moving up from cruiserweight.
Fury injury claims
Fury is training in Miami for his colossal heavyweight clash with Joshua, which will be for the WBA ‘super’ title.
Tickets for their fight at the Principality Stadium sold out on the first day. However, there has been some concern in the last few days whether the bout will even materialise.
Former heavyweight champion, Frank Bruno said he’d heard that Fury is injured and may pull out of the bout.
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“I think someone was talking to me in the gym that he’s got some injury,” he said on Fight Your Corner.
“Which may stop him from going into the fight with Anthony Joshua.”
However, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren rubbished those claims on Thursday.
