On October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder(42-1-1, 41 KOs) will have an opportunity at redemption when he battles WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury(30-0-1, 21 KOs) for the third and probably the final time.
The first fight ended in a draw; the rematch ended in a TKO victory for Fury after Wilder’s former trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel.
Now, Wilder has a new trainer in former heavyweight contender Malik Scott, with who he has developed a great bond before and during this training camp.
“Malik Scott is a wonderful person and trainer,” Wilder said during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday. “We met years ago sparring with Tomasz Adamek. We clicked right away, and we’ve formed a real bond and brotherhood. I have so much love around me in this camp that I’m not dwelling on anything negative.
“We’re having fun while learning and creating things together during training camp. That’s just the passion that we have to become two-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
According to Wilder, everything happens for a reason, and losing to Fury has helped him become a more focused fighter.
“I’m super focused,” Wilder said. “I’m more focused now than I’ve even been in my entire career. This is the second phase of my career. I had fun winning and defending the title for five years. At this point, we’re just serious about everything. I’m in a happy place, and I’m glad that I’m here.
“They say that things happen for a reason and that we don’t understand that reason until we get to a certain place in life, then we understand it. My whole team understands everything that has happened, and we’re looking forward.”
Wilder won his first 40 fights, including many title defenses, but according to the Alabama native, this has been his best training camp as a pro.
“This has hands down been the best training camp I’ve had in my entire career,” he said. “Sometimes you need events to happen in life to bring about changes that you need. We’ve had no distractions, and I’m just in a happy state mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually…
“You’re looking at a rejuvenated and reinvented Deontay Wilder. The old Deontay is no longer there; I can’t explain it to you; I have to show you on October 9. I’m looking forward to it, and I can’t wait.”
Wilder appears to be a different guy this time around. He seems to have a focus that he hasn’t had before, which could mean that Fury could be in trouble on October 9 in Las Vegas. However, Fury is an exceptional fighter, so defeating him won’t be easy.
