Tyson Fury insisted he has great respect for Deontay Wilder ahead of their eagerly-anticipated heavyweight rematch on February 22.
The pair will go head-to-head at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, 14 months after their controversial opening bout, where the match was drawn.
In a stand-off before the start of the press conference, it was Deontay Wilder who broke the stare first before a light-hearted press conference between the two heavyweights.
Fury said in quotes reported by Fox Sports: “You’re looking at a man here who’s knocked out 43 opponents in a row, now even if I hate this guy, I’ve got to respect that – that’s awesome.
“I never met anybody before who knocked out everyone they every fought.”
He added: “Deontay’s got amazing power and no matter what it comes to, verbal blows or anything, you always have to respect him.
“He’s 10 defences, beaten Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson and all these guys’ record defending the belt and he’s done a fantastic job here in the United States, holding his title and defending it regularly so congratulations to the guy.
“Listen, it can only go two ways, unless we get a draw again which he don’t want and I don’t want.
“He wins or I win, but I’m not afraid to go el mono-el mono with the biggest puncher on the planet, biggest puncher of heavyweight boxing. When I knock him out it’s going to look excellent for me.”
Wilder took a different approach to the press conference, and dismissed Fury’s lineal championship, and insisted he can defeat the 6ft 9in boxer.
He said: “I’m the biggest puncher probably in boxing history, so of course that would play into my gameplan…when you’re coming forward you’re giving me all of the momentum I need to land a shot.”
When asked whether Fury had the power to knock him out, the 34-year-old said: “I didn’t. I still think Tyson had a pillow as a fist but he’s a skilful fighter though. But you can’t have it all, people say I don’t have skills but I have the punch.
“That’s what I felt at the time (pillow as a fist).
“It’s an adrenaline rush in the ring, we’re all brave warriors, we’re all gladiators and that’s what we become in order to fight and give you guys the best show of your lives.”
