The competitive nature of boxers mean they never want to concede that anyone may be better than them even long after they retire.
An unwavering focus on winning is something that separates the very best fighters from the pack. In fact, it is often said that boxing is mostly about mentality and that a strong mind can get you a long way in the ring.
Tony Bellew certainly relied on that during some tough moments in his career, not least in his world title fight with Ilunga Makabu when he was knocked down early. He managed to come through that and went on to stop Makabu to become the WBC cruiserweight champion.
He then went on to fight David Haye and beat him by knockout in back to back fights, which he is now claiming means his resume is better than that of Deontay Wilder.
Wilder’s biggest fights involved a trilogy with Tyson Fury which saw him draw once and lose twice, and two victories over Luis Ortiz. During his 48 fight career ‘The Bronze Bomber’ secured 42 knockouts and defended his WBC title ten times in a row
Speaking to Lucky Block Casino, Bellew summarised the American’s career and didn’t hold back.
“Who has Deontay Wilder knocked out? The best win on his record is Luis Ortiz.
I’ve had two fights at heavyweight against the same man [Haye] and my record at heavyweight is better than Deontay Wilder’s. I’ve knocked out the former heavyweight champion of the world and unified cruiserweight champion twice.
It’s insane to think, Luis Ortiz is probably old enough to be my father. He’s been here forever, and that is [Wilder’s] greatest knockout victory.”
Bellew then explained why he thinks Wilder got the reputation he did.
“Fury’s fought him and beat him and called him the greatest puncher ever. Why? Cause it suits his agenda and makes him look great. Every time [Wilder] stepped up he got beat up, by Zhilei Zhang, Jospeh Parker and Tyson Fury. Deontay Wilder is not an all time great. he’s an all time big puncher.”
Whether or not Wilder fights again after back to back loses is unclear right now, but rival Anthony Joshua believes the American can still be dangerous at the top level.
