Deontay Wilder was frustrated after the original date for his trilogy with Tyson Fury was cancelled, but the heavyweight has recently admitted the delay has benefitted him.
Wilder will hope to win back the WBC heavyweight title he lost to Fury last year when the two fight in Las Vegas this Saturday night.
The fight was originally scheduled to take place on July 24, but Fury and members of his training camp tested positive for Covid-19 which meant the trilogy was pushed back.
Wilder was furious at Fury and didn't buy into his reason for pulling out of the fight, stating he faked having the virus after struggling in his preparations.
But Wilder now sees things more clearly and feels the three month delay has helped him improve as a fighter.
He said: “The delay was a blessing, a blessing for me. You know, the more they delayed it, the more time we had to work on our craft and art, and to go over even more, strategically, go over the game plan that we’re gonna have come October the 9th.
"So, you know, it was a time of frustration because as a fighter, you know, I mean, as a fighter, you’re ready to go. You know, you’re ready to get back out there. And this is the longest I’ve been out of the ring, especially when I’m anxious to get in the ring.”
Wilder partnered with former opponent Malik Scott shortly after his stoppage loss to Fury. Scott was knocked out by Wilder when they fought in 2014 and retired two years later.
The American accused his longtime trainer Mark Breland of being "disloyal" after he threw in the towel in Wilder's rematch against Fury.
Eighteen months on from his loss and the considerable underdog Wilder will look to hand Fury the first loss of his career in what promises to be a thrilling trilogy fight.
Wilder continued by stating the ring has called him back after a lengthy layoff and he is ready to prove his doubters wrong.
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He said: "It’s just something about boxing that calls you. That ring just calls you there. You know, even when you sometimes you may wanna give up, sometimes you may just wanna quit or just say I don’t wanna do it no more.
"It’s just something about boxing, it just draws you back. Look at all the retired guys that coming back, and they just wanna be a part of boxing. Boxing allow you to just stay part of it, man.
"But that time that we had, you know, it has benefitted me tremendously, and I’m looking forward to October the 9th.”
