Two-division champion Paul Malignaggi believes that Deontay Wilder is in denial about his defeat to Tyson Fury but that might be the best approach to take ahead of the rematch.
The former WBC champion is set to meet the current champion for a third time this July, after winning his arbitration case.
That win meant the expected August clash for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion between Fury and Anthony Joshua has been postponed indefinitely, and may indeed never take place. Joshua now looks set to fight WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk.
Some have suggested that Fury and his various representatives never intended to make the Joshua fight, but Malignaggi is of the opinion that they were simply caught off guard.
“I really think that nobody expected this latest Wilder and Fury fight to be mandated, because the last fight was so one-sided it would be a hard sell,” he told the DAZN Boxing Show.
“Maybe the last fight was agreed upon, but I really don’t think the Fury clan would use Joshua’s name to market themselves and then knowing they would have to fight Wilder. I just genuinely believe that everything had moved on since the Wilder fight. There had been a time lapse.
“Everyone wants to see the Joshua fight. The Wilder fight had a nail in the coffin. I thought we’d have a unified division, meanwhile Wilder comes back, maybe he can enforce the rematch later on, or fight the winner later on.”
Turning to the 'Bronze Bomber', Malignaggi explained that Wilder may be kidding himself of his chances, but that confidence means he will be going into any fight full of confidence, which is essential after his heavy loss in 2020.
“I don’t think it would have been a bad idea for Wilder to take an in-between fight. I don’t like the way he lost the fight being so one-sided. He took a lot of physical trauma which can leave some doubt in you.
“He came off as a sore loser, but here’s what I like about that. You’ve got to be in denial about yourself as a fighter.
“If Wilder seriously believes he can beat Fury then all his way of thinking, crazy as it sounds, is the only way to back himself up for that match. He has to believe something, because he can’t just feel, ‘This guy’s better than me’. I think he’s in denial and I don’t have a problem with that.”
Malignaggi thinks the decision for Wilder to eschew a tune-up fight suggests he is fully committed to winning back the title.
“Step two is putting it into action. He stopped Joshua and Fury from fighting because he wanted it so badly.
“He could have waited in the wings and got a comeback win but no, his actions prove he genuinely believes what he’s saying. One percent doubt is too much.
“He’s going to come off looking crazy if he gets destroyed, or he’ll come out looking brilliant. When you’re one step ahead of people you look smart, if you’re two steps ahead you look insane.”