Tag: Deontay Wilder

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury won’t get a chance to look each other in the eyes following their weigh-ins on Friday.

That’s after the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) barred them from doing so following their recent faceoff during a press conference on Wednesday. As Wilder and Fury squared off, they started trash talking each other before it eventually led to pushing and shoving until security had to intervene.

I'm honestly shocked there wasn't a promoter or some level of security involved at this press conference face off from the get. Emotions are running high, lots on the line. Doesn't take much for things to get out of hand. Thankfully this wasn't that bad.pic.twitter.com/gyTqkHrgzN

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 19, 2020

“The reason the decision was made, on behalf of the commission, is because the press conference [Wednesday] spoke for itself,” NSAC executive director Bob Bennett told ESPN on Thursday. “The actions of the two fighters pushing each other, which was not staged, is not indicative of the image of our sport as a major league sport, thus having a faceoff is not in the best interest in the health and safety of the fighters, the public and the event.

“And, quite frankly, that image, where you have two professional athletes pushing each other where somebody could get hurt, is not keeping with the image of a major league sport and we’re a major league sport.”

The decision hasn’t gone down well for some.

For one, Top Rank president Todd duBoef — Bob Arum’s stepson — called it frustrating especially as the traditional weigh-in faceoff is the money shot before a big fight:

“In my 25 years in boxing, I’ve never heard of an administrative body stepping in and prohibiting a faceoff,” duBoef said. “It’s the pinnacle moment before the fight. I am just shocked. That’s the money shot and not having that is frustrating.”

Former UFC two-weight champion Conor McGregor also chimed in, asking the NSAC to reconsider its decision:

“Guys, please relax here. Vegas commission, you are one of thee best commissions, bar none, for impeccably handling events of unpredictability. Place men between the men. Security on stage. Let them get one last look at each other. The last look before it’s really f*cking on.”

Guys, please relax here.
Vegas commission, you are one of thee best commissions, bar none, for impeccably handling events of unpredictability.
Place men between the men. Security on stage. Let them get one last look at each other.
The last look before it’s really fucking on. https://t.co/7SHYFh3MPE

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 21, 2020

What do you make of the NSAC’s decision to bar a final faceoff between Wilder and Fury?

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury did their final press conference on Wednesday and it would seem the pressure building for the rematch finally popped before the conference even got going. As the two heavyweights approached one another for a face-off, shoving ensued and it is safe to say both men are ready to go. The […]

The post Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury Almost Come to Blows Before Rematch appeared first on MMA News.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are days away from their rematch. The two heavyweights’ previous bouts left them with knowledge of what they bring into the boxing ring and with that in mind, both men seem to predict an early night come Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. When the heavyweights […]

The post Deontay Wilder & Tyson Fury Plan to Leave Judges Out of Rematch appeared first on MMA News.

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder senses that Tyson Fury is nervous ahead of their rematch. This Saturday night (Feb. 22), Wilder and Fury will do battle in a highly anticipated rematch. In their first bout back in Dec. 2018, “The Bronze Bomber” and “The Gypsy King” did battle for 12 rounds. All hope appeared to […]

The post Deontay Wilder Feels Tyson Fury Is Nervous Ahead Of Their Rematch appeared first on MMA News.