Manager Shelley Finkel insists Deontay Wilder respects Tyson Fury

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: October 14 2021 | 17:09

Last updated: October 14 2021 | 17:55

Shelley Finkel insists Deontay Wilder respects Tyson Fury

Manager Shelley Finkel insists that Deontay Wilder has respect for Tyson Fury, despite the American refusing to shake the WBC heavyweight champion's hand on Saturday.

Manager Shelley Finkel has played down suggestions that Deontay Wilder has no respect for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

A trilogy of fights between the pair was conclusively brought to a close on Saturday night as Fury twice got off the canvas to knock out Wilder in the 11th round.

While recovering from the third knockdown after the fight, Wilder rejected Fury's offer of a handshake, insisting that he had no respect for the British fighter.

Reflecting on the incident, Finkel has claimed that Wilder would be willing to "embrace" Fury if they ever crossed paths in the future.

Speaking to The Sun, Finkel said: "Him and I have spoke about that and he does (respect Fury).

"I think his mind wasn't really there, I think if Deontay saw Fury now he would give him a big embrace."

Fury says that he should now be regarded as 'the great heavyweight of his era' after his thrilling triumph in Las Vegas.