Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder clash at first press conference in London

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder had to be separated at the first press conference to promote their WBC heavyweight title fight.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conferenceTyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conference
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conference

The brash rivals began their press tour ahead of the December 1 bout in Los Angeles at the BT Sport studios in London on Monday afternoon, and will also visit New York and LA before the end of the week.

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Fury dismissed suggestions he was the “challenger” to Wilder, before igniting the growing tension between them by getting out of his seat and demanding the American join him for a “body spar”.

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conferenceTyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conference
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder square off at Monday's press conference

The 30-year-old’s promoter Frank Warren was forced to stand between them as Wilder agreed, before then being helped by others as the press conference ended with the two fighters on their feet shouting at each other.

“I am no challenger for no man. I’m the linear heavyweight champion of the world, the best of the best,” said Morecambe’s.

“This is two champions colliding, equal rights, rephrase and start again.”

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A similar exchange had taken place between Fury and Wladimir Klitschko before they fought in 2015.

On that occasion, Fury produced an impressively composed performance to produce one of the biggest upset wins in history, and the December 1 bout at the Staples Center will be bigger still.

Fury taunted Wilder, calling him a “bottle job”, and added: “You think this is a game? I’ll punch your face in. You’ve got power then, let me feel that power boy.

“I want to feel it. I feel 10 of you. Hit that big bald head.

“You’ll feel the wrath, hell has no fury like Tyson Fury.”

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Wilder, 32, is also undefeated, and has stopped each of his previous 39 opponents.

The American said: “It’s important to establish dominance. I say I’m the best, the baddest man on the planet.

“When it comes to Tyson Fury, I’m all about devastating knock-outs, it’s what I do.

“He’s got two months to get ready, he lost a lot of weight; he’s got to lose a little more.

“We can’t live off others’ opinions. You’ll know what time it is, you come here to see one thing, me knocking somebody out.”