DEONTAY WILDER dismissed suggestions Tyson Fury will provide him with his biggest challenge, after weighing in more than three stones lighter than his rival ahead of Saturdayโ€™s fight at Los Angelesโ€™ Staples Center.

Fury smiled as he entered the stage shirtless and remained relaxed as he weighed in at 18 stone four pounds, engaging with his fans โ€“ who convincingly outnumbered Wilderโ€™s.

The two were then kept at a safe distance for their final face-off, following Wednesdayโ€™s press conference when they and their two entourages threatened to get violent during a heated confrontation.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury attend the weigh-in
Deontay Wilder has promised to knock out Tyson Fury (Lionel Hahn/PA)

Wilder, 33 years old and 15st 2.5lbs, again wore the mask he uses to demonstrate his readiness to fight, and he said: โ€œ(This is) definitely the most important but definitely not the most difficult. I (have) fought way tougher guys than him.

โ€œMy opponent last fight (Luis Ortiz) was way tougher than him. This is just another step to get to where I want to go โ€“ there will be one champion (in the heavyweight division), one face, one name, and heโ€™ll go by the name (of) Deontay Wilder.

โ€œI get to release everything thatโ€™s inside of me. I canโ€™t wait. Iโ€™m going to knock him out.โ€

Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury tale of the tape graphic
(PA Graphics)

Saturdayโ€™s fight will take place in a 20ft ring โ€“ four foot smaller than the maximum permitted size, which the 30-year-old Fury used to memorably defeat Wladimir Klitschko โ€“ favouring the aggressive American.

Earlier, Wilder had said: โ€œIf people didnโ€™t think I hold all the marbles in boxing, after this fight, there ainโ€™t going to be any question who holds the marbles.

โ€œThe promotion has been amazing and I thank God for Tyson Fury because I have had to promote all of my old opponents. They were too scared to say what they would do.

โ€œThis event is big for me, all the guys before brought something to the table to take me to the next level.

There are certain to be calls for Anthony Joshua to fight the winner
There are certain to be calls for Anthony Joshua to fight the winner (Nick Potts/PA)

โ€œA lot of people doubted me before I fought a certain calibre of fighter. Ortiz changed that and Fury will do the same for me. I want you to witness greatness.โ€

Wilder may not be the polished champion the Klitschko was when Fury unexpectedly outpointed him three years ago this week, but he is widely considered a more powerful and more explosive puncher.

The 30-year-old Fury recognises the extraordinary power that he possesses, but he also insists that Wilder is so flawed that he should still pose little threat.

โ€œHe punches hard but he didnโ€™t fight anyone until heโ€™d had 30 fights,โ€ he said. โ€œYou can only knock out whoโ€™s in front of you but if youโ€™re matched easily you get to 100-0.


โ€œPeople are afraid before they get in there, like with Mike Tyson. They were just looking for a comfy place on the canvas.

โ€œIf I canโ€™t beat Deontay Wilder then Iโ€™m not very good, simple as that. If I canโ€™t beat Wilder Iโ€™m not the man I think I am. If I win a close fight Iโ€™ll class it as a loss because itโ€™s not enough for me.

โ€œHow are you going to be considered a great if you canโ€™t beat a bum who throws windmills?โ€

There has also been little in the final days to change the widely-held view that the likeliest outcomes are a Wilder stoppage victory or a negative Fury earning a decision, but the latterโ€™s promoter Frank Warren said: โ€œI donโ€™t think this will be a dancing contest. To fight (Wilder), you have to put him on the back foot.

โ€œYou have to take him out of his comfort zone. Letโ€™s see how he likes it if he starts putting it on him.โ€