Tensions high as Fury and Wilder clash

TYSON Fury and Deontay Wilder had to be separated at the first press conference to promote their WBC heavyweight title fight.

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

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”.

The 30-year-old’s promoter Frank Warren was forced to stand between them as Wilder (pictured) agreed. 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,” Fury said. “This is two champions colliding, equal rights, rephrase and start again.”

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 and one of the biggest upset wins in history. The December 1 bout at the Staples Center will be bigger still.

Fury taunted Wilder: “You think this is a game? I’ll punch your face in.”

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

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