Heavyweight

Fury: Wilder needs to grow a pair

ESPN staff

January 6, 2014

Tyson Fury will return to action in February © Getty Images

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Tyson Fury has goaded Deontay Wilder by saying the undefeated American needs to "grow a pair" and face him this year.

Fury has seen his career stall of late with David Haye pulling out of successive fights against him. A cut above the eye ruled Haye out of the original bout, scheduled for September, before he underwent shoulder surgery in November, putting paid to their rescheduled February 2014 fight.

And as he looks to get back on track, Fury has compiled a 2014 wishlist that he hopes will see him fight a "journeyman" next month before he turns his attentions to a rematch with European champion Dereck Chisora, and then Wilder - who boasts a record of 30-0.

Super-fights will light up 2014

Remember him? © Getty Images

There is likely to be more title shots for British boxers this year than ever before - both domestically and at world level writes Steve Bunce, who also reflects on the first time he laid eyes upon a young Ricky Hatton.
Click here to read more of Steve Bunce's column

However Fury insists Wilder's promoter Richard Schaefer has complicated negotiations for a fight between the pair.

"Hopefully I'll have a fight in February, the Chisora fight and then maybe if Deontay Wilder grows a pair of balls I might fight him as well," Fury told Buncey's Boxing Podcast.

"It's more to do with Richard Schaefer, he's the brains behind it all. He keeps saying my name and saying he's offered me this and that but there's never been anything in writing.

"There are a lot of fighters out there who are pretend boxers and fighters and who really don't want to fight. I'll mention no names - Vladimir Klitschko, David Haye, Deontay Wilder. And I know Wilder's team talk a good fight and they say it's me [who is holding up negotiations], but I can guarantee you now it's nothing to do with me because I would go to America no problem, and do the same as I did to Steve Cunningham in April.

"It's up to the promoters to stop talking b*******, get the chequebooks out and starting putting zeroes on them because if I am to get these big fights then these opponents need paying. If they're going to get beaten by me they need paying well, because no one's going to put a 30-0 record on the line or an undefeated record for little money because they know they can't beat me. It's all about dollars.

"I know one person who will definitely fight me and that's Dereck Chisora. I already whupped him once as Muhammad Ali would've said and hopefully he can give me a better fight this time now he's the European champion and he's got a bit more experience under his belt. I'd be looking to take that fight early in the year.

"I fear nobody. I can beat them all because I'm the best heavyweight on the planet. I'm starting to come into my own, I'm a seasoned veteran who's been in the game for five years. I know it inside out."

@ESPNUK @Tyson_Fury lmao it's funny after all this time he finally admits it was him Fury stated:
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) January 6, 2014

@ESPNUK @Tyson_Fury " I can guarantee you NOW it's nothing to do with me!" lol maybe not now son new year duh bt that don't excluded ur team
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) January 6, 2014