Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder III: Verbal jabs exchanged as heavyweight giants weigh-in

As the much-anticipated trilogy bout between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder continues to build, the heavyweight giants exchanged more verbal jabs at their weigh-in overnight.

The Gypsy King weighed in at 277lbs, while his American rival tipped the scales at 238lbs - both career heaviest weights, but with the Brit enjoying a near three stone advantage.

Wilder, who held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, making ten successful career defences, appeared stripped to his waist and in formidable shape despite the added seven pounds.

Asked about the weight gain, Wilder insisted that the extra pounds would help him manage Fury’s superior size.

Boxing - Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder Weigh-In - MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - October 8, 2021 Deontay Wilder during the official weigh-in REUTERS/Steve Marcus
STEVE MARCUS

“I've put a few pounds on so he can't lean on me and push me around as he did when he beat on the worst night of my career…”

"I'm bench pressing a little over 350[lbs], so whatever his weight comes in, I can lay on my back and lift him, it won't be none of that rushing me and putting all his weight on me, and different things like that. But most of all, we just want to have fun."

Wilder also noted the need to stay composed when he gets into the ring against his British counterpart. "Calmness is the key to the storm, I know that when I'm not calm, my mind is cloudy, so when your mind is cloudy it allows you to make bad decisions.”

"But when you're calm, you weather the storm. When you're calm, you're able to see certain things and you're able to decide, make great decisions. “I have rejuvenated myself; redemption is upon us and I can't wait to show the world what I am all about.”

Boxing - Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder Weigh-In - MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - October 8, 2021 Tyson Fury during the official weigh-in REUTERS/Steve Marcus
STEVE MARCUS

WBC champion Fury came to the weigh-in in unusual fashion, wearing a black hat over his sleeveless shirt but kept his shirt on as he stepped on the scales, weighing four pounds heavier than his last fight against the American. Speaking about his weight gain, Fury said: “It means total obliteration… total annihilation, that’s what it means to me.

“I feel absolutely amazing, I have been training at this weight for nearly two years. I feel great, I feel on fire and I feel like knocking a dosser out. I think it will make him slower and he can't carry his weight like I can.”

He added: “I am just going to punish Deontay Wilder; I am going to severely damage him. There isn't much he hasn't done in this build up, I hope he comes at me and let's get it on from Round one."

The fighters were once again denied the chance of a pre-fight face-off as tension reaches its peak. They will battle out the final part of their trilogy series at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas on Sunday morning in the UK, with the pair expected in the rings for around 4am UK time.