Deontay Wilder is eager to fight troubled heavyweight Tyson Fury after drug rehab
American wants to go toe-to-toe with the Gypsy King in Britain but bout has been put on hold after suspension
DEONTAY WILDER is still eyeing a 'mega fight' against troubled fellow heavyweight Tyson Fury.
Fury had his licence to fight suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control last Thursday, but Wilder insists he still wants to go toe to toe with the Gypsy King.
Speaking to The Sun, Wilder said: "I don’t think he [Tyson Fury] has retired. I just want him to heal up physically and mentally and hurry up back to the heavyweight division.
"I think it will be a mega fight between us and I want to give the fans what they want."
Wilder pulled off an impressive KO against Chris Arreola in eight rounds back in July, despite sustaining a broken hand and torn bicep during the bout.
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The WBC heavyweight champion is currently undergoing extensive physiotherapy after successful surgery on his injuries - but we're unlikely to see him return to the ring until 2017.
The Bronze Bomber has already confirmed that he would be willing to travel to Britain to secure a showdown with Fury and is reluctant to believe that has really thrown in the towel for good.
"He’s always talking about retiring but he’s saying that because everybody is at him," explained the Alabama-born boxer.
"People can be too harsh, especially with social media. It brings a person down. God bless him and help him get back to his family."
Fury reportedly failed a drugs test in the United States in September before withdrawing from the rematch against Wladimir Klitschko on 29 October in Manchester.
Earlier this week Fury vacated his WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles and the British Boxing Board of Control later announced his licence had been suspended.
Wilder, who turns 31 next week, prays Fury makes a full and speedy recovery amid concerns for his mental health.
He said: "All my prayers go out to Tyson Fury. I know it’s difficult to be in his situation. There are so many people in his business and have so many questions about why all these things are going on.
"Only God knows. I just hope he overcomes the hardship he’s going through right now and God bless him and his family."