Tyson Fury was characteristically outspoken after being asked about Deontay Wilder featuring on the undercard of his upcoming clash with Anthony Joshua.
Following extended speculation Dana White confirmed this week that a fight between Wilder and leading cruiserweight Jai Opetaia will feature on next month's bill at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The bout will mark Wilder's first fight since he defeated former world title challenger Derek Chisora via split decision in April.
Wilder had previously been in talks to face Oleksandr Usyk this summer but a fight between the pair ultimately did not materialise and the Bronze Bomber will instead look to upset the odds against an opponent 10 years his junior.
Speaking prior to the fight being officially confirmed Fury questioned why Wilder has not yet hung up his gloves.
"I've heard [that Wilder will face Opetaia], which is silly on Deontay's part," Fury told Fighthype.
"He shouldn't be in the ring, he shouldn't be nowhere near it. It's a dying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he's shot to bits."
Fury and Wilder shared the ring on three occasions between 2018 and 2021 with the WBC heavyweight title on the line.
After their first fight was controversially declared a split draw, Fury emerged victorious in both subsequent meetings, stopping Wilder in the 7th round in February 2020 and the 11th round in October 2021.
The Gypsy King added that he believes Wilder should have retired after they concluded their trilogy: 'He shouldn't have fought again after I beat him the last time.
'That should have been the end of it, but needs must.'
He continued: 'If you're getting knocked out by people that you probably should have knocked out yourself then...
'Him and Chisora looked shockingly terrible when they fought. Chisora is like 145-years-old and he was taking Wilder's knockout power shots that are not there anymore flush in the face and not even budging him.
'It's a shame because if you had matched those two five years ago it wouldn't have lasted one round.
'It's a hard thing to walk away from, we've seen so many of the greats come back for whatever reason over the years, usually financial reasons and it's a hard one to see and a sad state of affairs.'
