Deontay Wilder: "In my eyes I don't see Fury as a champion"
"People that know boxing know that it wasn't Deontay Wilder on that night. I was a zombie on that night."
'The Bronze Bomber' has admitted that "something was wrong" to cause his defeat to 'The Gypsy King' Tyson Fury, and added "no-one should be surprised" by his desire to fight again.
Fury floored Wilder twice and stopped him in seven one-sided rounds to become WBC heavyweight champion 14 months after they initially fought to a draw. They are expected to fight again in October, according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
"In my eyes I don't see Fury as a champion," Wilder told Premier Boxing Champions' podcast. "He ain't the champion yet because we've still got one more fight left."
Wilder insisted his body language was wrong: "When I took off my mask, the things that I was doing. I've been in this sport a very long time so people automatically know how I am. People that know boxing know that it wasn't Deontay Wilder on that night. I was a zombie on that night.
"I wasn't myself. I felt like a zombie.
"I'm still reflecting. I can't believe the things that happened. I'm figuring things out."
Wilder has previously claimed that his ring-walk outfit, weighing 40lbs, tired his legs and contributed to his loss.
The American, previously undefeated in 43 and feted as one of boxing's all-time hardest punchers, intends to pursue his right to a third fight with Fury.
"No-one should be surprised. I am who I am, Deontay 'The Bronze Bomber' Wilder," he said.
"Why wouldn't I want it?
"He knows that wasn't me. I know that wasn't me. That wasn't the real Deontay Wilder, something was wrong.
"There is more fuel on the fire. This is the final straw."
Bomb Squad additions
In the aftermath of Wilder's defeat his head trainer, Jay Deas, said that he disagreed with fellow trainer Mark Breland's decision to throw in the towel.
Wilder said about his team: "We've had a lot of people reach out but you have to be careful. Some people want publicity.
"There are two people that I'm bringing in.
"I'll get my team in order and we can move forward with our game-plan for the third fight.
"Everybody wants what you have, but they don't want to work as hard or sacrifice as much. People get envious. This is one of the things that I had to weed out.
"In life you lose more than you win. Some people don't know how to bounce back from a loss. People want to see someone lose to see how they get up. I lost in the ring but I'm winning in life.
"Sometimes you get used to things, get comfortable with things. You still have hunger, but it isn't the same as when you first tried to get into the rankings and go on to fight for a world title.
"This has allowed that hunger to come back.
"I'm never down about losing because it makes me stronger to come back and overcome."
'Big George' gives guidance
He plans to seek more advice from legendary heavyweight George Foreman.
"It was good talking to George," Wilder said. "We talked about things from his career, good and bad. Different tricks of the trade. Certain things that he saw in my fight. He wants to show me some methods to strengthen certain parts of my body.
"Sometimes you get used to things, get comfortable with things. You still have hunger, but it isn't the same as when you first tried to get into the rankings and go on to fight for a world title.
"This has allowed that hunger to come back.
"I'm never down about losing because it makes me stronger to come back and overcome."
He plans to seek more advice from legendary heavyweight George Foreman.
"It was good talking to George," Wilder said. "We talked about things from his career, good and bad. Different tricks of the trade. Certain things that he saw in my fight. He wants to show me some methods to strengthen certain parts of my body.
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