LAS VEGAS: Heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury jettisoned their previously cordial tone in favor of a heated and personal exchange in the final news conference before their highly-anticipated rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas.

WBC champion Wilder 42-0-1 (41 KO) and lineal heavyweight champion Fury 29-0-1 (20 KO) shoved each other when they took the stage at the MGM Grand on Wednesday before both promising knockouts.

“Wilder is very nervous,” said the English-born Fury. “I can see his jumper going in and out from the big heart beat pounding out of his chest.

“He’s terrified. He’s nervous as hell. He doesn’t know what to expect, and he’s getting knocked out,” Fury said, adding that Wilder would be begging him for a rematch after he is defeated.

The American responded with laughter at Fury’s repeated claim that he will end the fight in the second round.

“When I knock you out, go do stand-up comedy. You’ve got a career there. You’ve got pillows for fists and that’s why I kept running through you.”

The first meeting between the pair in December 2018 ended in a controversial split-decision draw after 12 explosive rounds, a result that satisfied neither fighter but left both with their undefeated records intact.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2020