TYSON FURY has struck Deontay Wilder a new blow… by admitting he feels sorry for his former foe.
The Gypsy King completed one of the greatest comebacks in sport when he annihilated the Bronze Bomber 12 months ago to become heavyweight champion of the world once again.
Despite the dominant nature of the result, however, Wilder has since come out with a number of bizarre excuses.
These have included accusing Fury of cheating, sacking his trainer and accusing the referee of being biased.
But rather than come out fighting, the Gypsy King has merely expressed pity.
Asked why Wilder has responded in the way that he has, Fury, 32, told ESPN: “I believe it’s mostly because he’s got a load of a*** kissers in his camp.
“He’s absolutely disappointed me as a man and I feel sorry for him.
“Even if he does come back, I think he’s finished. People are not afraid of him anymore.”
It had been expected that Fury would be dragged back into the ring for a third time by Wilder, owing to a rematch clause in the contract.
But with the clause having expired in October, the Brit has confirmed that the bout is dead in the water.
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He added: “As far as I’m concerned, the chapter’s done.
“I beat him twice, absolutely smashed him to pieces the second time. I agreed to about seven dates, none materialised, then the contract expired.
“There’s no fight between me and Wilder.”
Fury is instead expected to face Anthony Joshua next, as he aims to unify the heavyweight belts.
But he has expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the deal over the last 12 months.
He said: “It was just a big mess up.
“I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive. I’ve been out for over a year. By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super fight.
“They’ve had a full year to try and make this fight happen. Since the last Wilder fight, even before the Wilder fight, they were talking about a fight potentially between me and Joshua.
“They’ve had a full year to make something happen and it hasn’t happened as of yet. It is what it is. We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago.
“The way [COVID-19] is at the moment, I don’t think [negotiations] got much to do with the fighters. It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”
