"I just felt like anybody that wanted it bad enough could have come in and beat Klitschko. Anybody that wasn't intimidated and really wanted it bad enough and was aggressive with him, I just thought he was ripe for the pickings. He has been a great champion. I just saw in him that he gave us the best of him already and I just didn't think he could get up against a hungry fighter that wanted that title...if Tyson Fury doesn't give Klitschko his rematch, hey, Amir Mansour is in line. Let's make it happen. His camp said some things to me on Twitter. Now he's a world champion; he can call some shots. Let's make it happen," stated heavyweight contender Amir Mansour, who shared his thoughts on Tyson Fury's victory over former unififed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Check it out!
PC: Big mix up in the heavyweight division with Tyson Fury's win over Wladimir Klitschko. You called this win for Fury based off of Wladimir's previous performances. What did you see or didn't see in Wladimir that made you think Fury would beat him?
AM: When I watched Klitschko fight Bryant Jennings in New York, I'm sure if Bryant watched the tape over, he would realize that he could of won that fight. He did a hell of a job regardless. I just saw a slow and sluggish guy that has already given us the best that he can do in the ring. I watched Tyson Fury fight Steve Cunningham in New York as well and I just felt like there was no way Klitschko was gonna beat Tyson Fury if he fought Tyson Fury the way that he fought Bryant Jennings. My estimation was on point. He came in the same way - slow, sluggish and lethargic - and Tyson Fury took advantage of that.
PC: Not to take anything away from Tyson Fury, and I don't think you are either, but you're saying you have been seeing things in Klitschko that would leave him open to defeat?
AM: Yes! I just felt like anybody that wanted it bad enough could have come in and beat Klitschko. Anybody that wasn't intimidated and really wanted it bad enough and was aggressive with him, I just thought he was ripe for the pickings. He has been a great champion. I just saw in him that he gave us the best of him already and I just didn't think he could get up against a hungry fighter that wanted that title. I know Tyson Fury trains like a monster. Steve Cunningham told me that when he was in camp with him, he trained like a monster, so I knew that he would come in great shape, I knew that he would be able to do the 12 rounds and I just didn't think Klitschko would be able to keep up with that and win against that if he was going to come in the same lethargic fighter that we had been seeing over the last few years.
PC: It appears that there will be a rematch. Given everything you just said, would you rather Klitschko retire or do you think a rematch is in order being that he was on such a long reign?
AM: You gotta give the man his respect. If he wants a rematch, then he should be able to get it. He has been champion for a long time and if he wants that rematch, he's earned the right and enough respect in the boxing world where we say, "Okay, you get your rematch. You've earned it." He's earned the right to be able to call that shot.
PC: Obviously you are in this game to be a world champion, so any time you see someone competing for the title, you're sizing guys up. What do you see in the new champ Tyson Fury?
AM: I watched him fight Steve and a few other guys and I don't think he has real good defense. He's been dropped a couple of times, so his chin is questionable to me. He does know how to use his height and his reach very well. But of course, man, I would put that pressure on him; pressure, pressure, pressure! And pressure busts pipes and I just feel like the pressure that I would apply to any fighter in this day and time would break 'em down eventually, man. Whether you are bigger than me, faster than me, stronger than me, and even better than me, I'm not going to stop applying this pressure. You not going to knock me out and so you're going to be in for a long one; win, lose or draw. I just hope and pray that one of these guys with a belt gives me a shot. I think I have done enough in the boxing world to have earned a shot, especially when you look at the guys who have gotten a shot with less fights than me and their record is not as good as my record. They are not as exciting of a fighter as I am or as aggressive, so I'm just hoping eventually I get my shot. I got a deal with Tom Brown right now who used to be a promoter with Dan Goosen I believe. I'm looking forward to working with him and he does some of the fights with PBC and Al Haymon. I'm just looking forward to seeing what they have in store for me and hopefully they can put me in position to get that shot.
PC: I appreciate your time. I always like to get a word with you after big heavyweight fights, so much appreciated you always giving me the time. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?
AM: Hey man, Deontay Wilder don't have an opponent for January. He said that he would fight me years ago. He's world champion now and he's still running from me. I don't understand it. He said that I just want to fight him for some money, so my thing is, let's do this winner take all! If I'm just fighting you for money and I don't believe I can beat you, winner walks away with everything. You beat me, I don't walk away with a penny. I will sign that contract for his date in January. We can get it on. That would end any question about me just wanting to fight for some money. I want to be a world champion. I'm not disrespecting the man. I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all. I know he worked hard to get where he's at. He's the world champion, but I didn't start boxing just to box. I started fighting because I wanted to be a world champion. And if Tyson Fury doesn't give Klitschko his rematch, hey, Amir Mansour is in line. Let's make it happen. His camp said some things to me on Twitter. Now he's a world champion; he can call some shots. Let's make it happen!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]