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Peter Wright has revealed that world number one Luke Humphries was keen to clarify his pre-match comments about the Scot following their Round of 16 bout at the World Darts Championships.
Wright ran out a 4-1 winner over defending champion Humphries following a war of words in the build-up. The 54-year-old, known for his distinctive and extravagant mohawk hairstyles, had previously said he was using the rise of Humphries and tournament favourite Luke Littler as fuel for motivation.
“I know I can still compete with them,” he said. “You know, what I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.
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“These little old guys can still do it. I believe Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] will beat Luke [Humphries] and me and Barney will have the best game ever you’ve seen on that stage.”
Van Barneveld ultimately fell in the second round with Humphries beating victor Nick Kenny in the next round. That set up Sunday’s clash with Wright.
Ahead of the match, Humphries responded to Wright’s initial comments with a sharp comeback. “How many times have people said, ‘this is going to happen and this going to happen’, and it never happens?” he retorted.
“I think Peter loves to play the mind games but it doesn’t work with me. I’m one world title from almost matching his career and I’m 25 years younger so I think one world title would sort of match everything he has achieved in the game.”
That set up a tantalising match up that eventually saw Wright storm to an impressive win. After the winning dart sunk between the wires, Humphries congratulated his opponent and shared some words on stage.
Asked about this exchange ahead of his quarter-final tie with Stephen Bunting, Wright told Sky Sports: “He [Humphries] was just polite, lovely.
“He said he wished me all the best and what was said in the media stuff he said has got totally blown out and stuff like that. He said, ‘I meant nothing by it’, and I said, ‘me too’.”