Deontay Wilder has blamed his ring-walk costume for his WBC heavyweight title defeat by Tyson Fury. The American, 34, said his costume was too heavy and as a result, he “didn’t have the legs” for the fight.
Britain’s Fury, 31, produced a dominant display to win the title in Las Vegas on Saturday when Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round. Wilder also told US media he will exercise his rematch clause for a third fight against Fury.
Wilder said the costume, which featured armor, a mask, and a crown, weighed at least 40 pounds (18.1kg) and was a tribute to Black History Month.
“I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight – in the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through,” added Wilder. “I was only able to put it on [for the first time] the night before but I didn’t think it was going to be that heavy. I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything.”
