Video: ‘chaos’ as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder clash on stage
There were plenty of highlights from the final press conference
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury
- What: WBC world heavyweight boxing title bout
- When: Sunday 2 December (for UK fight fans)
- Where: Staples Centre, Los Angeles, USA
- Fight start time: 4am to 5am (UK time)
- TV channel: live on BT Sport Box Office
It all got a little heated between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at the final press conference before their title fight in Los Angeles.
The world’s boxing media packed into the hall last night to hear what the fighters had to say and see the customary “face-off”. The BBC reports that the news conference “descended into chaos” as Fury and WBC champion Wilder “clashed on stage”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Accusing Wilder of being a fraud, Fury took his shirt off as insults were exchanged. Speaking to the BBC Sport’s Mike Costello, Fury said: “I took my shirt off to get involved and frightened them all away. Everyone thinks the rivalry is fake but they can guess again as it nearly went off again.
“Wilder thought he needed to spit in my face or whatever he was doing, shouting. He feels pressured, you can see the pressure he is under out there.”
Quoted by Sky Sports, Fury added: “Deontay Wilder needed to do something so he started getting in my face. I believe he wanted me to hit today so he could get out of the fight, or get me a massive fine. But I was not going to do that.
“It was a just a load of rubbish really. I’m quite disappointed that it had to come to that sort of stuff, those tactics, at such a high level.”
BBC Radio 5 live’s boxing analyst Steve Bunce said that Wilder “lost it” during the fiery press conference. “We’ve seen it before but I’m telling you now, you’ve never seen it with that much edge and nastiness,” said Bunce. “Let’s get this straight, Wilder lost it.”
‘I will knock Tyson Fury out’
During the press conference Wilder said he is confident the WBC belt will remain in his hands after Sunday’s fight at the Staples Centre in LA.
Wilder said: “This is a moment I’ve been waiting for my entire career; this is my time. Fury had his - when he beat [Wladimir] Klitschko that was his window to do whatever he had to do. How he took upon his responsibilities as a champion was up to him. But now it’s my time. I’ve sat patiently, waiting.
“I will knock Tyson Fury out. They say I’m the puncher and he’s the boxer, but the same thing was said when I beat [Bermane] Stiverne. I’m going to show you how well I can box. He will go down.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Is it time for Anthony Joshua to retire?
After his latest brutal defeat, British boxing's 'poster boy' has a difficult choice to make
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: the mega-fight boxing fans ‘deserve’ to see
feature Ukrainian calls out Gypsy King for undisputed clash – which could be held in December
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tyson Fury: will he retire from boxing or become the undisputed ‘Lord of the Ring’?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Pundits look at what the Gypsy King will do next after his masterclass against Dillian Whyte
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte: predictions, fight guide, profiles, UK start time and TV
feature The Gypsy King puts his titles on the line in an ‘all-British blockbuster’ at Wembley
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Where does Tyson Fury rank among the best heavyweight boxers of all time?
Today's Big Question Gypsy King retained his WBC crown with a stunning KO of Deontay Wilder
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III: fight guide, predictions, odds, UK start time and TV
In Depth The heavyweight trilogy clash takes place in Vegas this weekend
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Premier League clubs to consult players over 30% pay cut and season will not resume at start of May
Speed Read Sport shorts: ten things from the world of sport on Friday 3 April
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Sport shorts: Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III may be held in October and lottery losses will hit Team GB Olympic athletes
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 26 March
By The Week Staff Published