By Vera Chinonso Aliyu, YeyeNews.com, October 13, 2021
The Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) has accused the referee in the Wilder vs Fury heavyweight boxing fight of racism against Deontay Wilder. The BLM made the accusation in their verified Facebook page on Monday.
“We condemn the racist treatment against Deontay Wilder. He fought against two white men on the night – the referee and Tyson Fury. When Wilder knocked Fury out in the fourth round, the referee was very slow on the count. He gave Fury ample time to recover. He refused to do same when Wilder went down in the eleventh round, instead he hurriedly ended the fight. This is a clear gang up against a black fighter”, BLM wrote on their Facebook page.
BLM also praised Deontay Wilder as a true African warrior. “Despite the obstacles on the way of your victory you still kept your cool and fought like a true warrior. Your great ancestors will be proud of you. We in the BLM are proud of you”, the post concluded.
YeyeNews.com could not speak with Deontay Wilder as he was still in the hospital recuperating from the injuries he sustained during the fight. But one of his trainers confirmed that the boxer is not pleased with how the fight ended. “Deontay feel cheated. Why didn’t the referee end the fight when Fury was knocked down twice in one round. But they quickly ended it when Wilder went down. The black man has always been cheated in this country. We have realized that the only way we can succeed is to be emphatic in our victory. That’s a lesson we shall carry on into future fights”.
Meanwhile, the Tyson Fury camp has dismissed the allegations. “Wilder is just a sore loser”, Fury’s manager declared. “We won fair and square. This fight leaves no room for doubt as to who is the real champion.” A Facebook user posted on BLM page in reaction to their accusation and accused the movement of being racist in its accusation. The user said the only think Fury did bad was to beat Wilder like a drum.
