James Wade has backed up Gary Anderson’s comments earlier in the week, passionately defending Luke Humphries and saying the only world champions better than him are Phil Taylor and “probably” Michael van Gerwen. suggested.
World No. 1 Humphries has a history that began with winning the 2023 World Grand Prix title, followed by victories at the Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship final and the World Championships at Alexandra Palace later that season. Conquered 12 months.
Humphries will compete in the World Grand Prix quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m. Sky Sports main event and sky sports+In the summer, he also won the Darts World Cup and the World Match Play for England for the first time together with Michael Smith.
Wade’s comments came just two days after two-time world champion Anderson said Humphries was being “ignored” and should be given “a little more respect.”
“I’d like to say that me and Gary Anderson don’t get along very well sometimes,” Wade said, unspoken, in a press conference after Thursday’s 3-0 win over Gerwyn Price.
“But what I can say is that I believe Luke Humphries is probably the second or third best world champion of all time.
“We had [lots of] World champion. Luke Humphries has won just about everything, both after the World Championship and before.
“The people and everyone really think so. [the media] I’m having a bit of a failure. There has never been a world champion like this. The last world champion as good as him may have been Michael, but before him it was Phil Taylor. ”
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Wayne Mardle and John Peart react to Gary Anderson’s passionate outburst at World Grand Prix press conference
Wade: I really feel sorry for Humphries.
Wade will face Belgium’s Mike Dekker in Friday’s World Grand Prix quarter-final opener and could face Humphries in Sunday’s final if he wins his next two matches.
On Wednesday, Humphries said he felt he was getting “a lot of credit” and that the media was also praising him.
Wade continued his long answer in the press conference, noting that Humphries doesn’t have the same impact as Taylor, but he is a “special” player.
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Luke Humphries sings Leeds United’s national anthem ‘Marching On Together’ as he celebrates victory on Premier League night 15 in Leeds
“I feel really sorry for Luke Humphries. He didn’t have to do that. He should have just finished the conversation 30 seconds ago and walked out the door,” he continued.
“It’s going to be difficult to get a player as good as him for a long time and I think we need to celebrate that. What he’s doing is great.
“I’m not going to rant as much as Gary, but about what he’s done and what he’s won. Then tell me a world champion who won as much as he did.”
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Luke Humphries won a crucial third set in his World Grand Prix showdown with Ricardo Pietrezko with an incredible 130 checkout.
“It’s very sad for darts. If it’s an Olympic gold medalist, Luke Humphries has won more games than any Olympic gold medalist in the last three, four, five, six years. are.
“You have a player who is so special and has so many wins, and it’s sad not to celebrate him.”
He added: “I’m not interested in darts, but can you tell me any players who have been world champions in the last 10 to 15 years and have progressed since then and dominated tournaments and won? No one. Maybe Michael. I can’t do it,” he added.
“In fact, I think what he’s doing is greater than what Michael has accomplished in a short period of time.
“Michael is no gravy, but what Luke is doing right now is magical and we’re just not getting it.”
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