WILDER VOWS TO KNOCK OUT RIVAL FURY

American and Briton, both unbeaten as pros, are kept apart at the weigh-in ahead of their WBC heavyweight fight at the Staples Centre

Deontay Wilder has vowed to knock out British challenger Tyson Fury in their WBC heavyweight title bout in Los Angeles lunchtime today (Hong Kong time).

Wilder wore a black leather face mask to the weigh-in outside the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, but that was as menacing as it got as the two fighters were kept several feet apart for the traditional stare-down in the wake of an explosive final media conference midweek.

Britain’s Fury, who finished that event stripped to the waist and shaping up to engage with Wilder, tipped the scales at 258 pounds (117kg).

Wilder, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to getting down to business in the ring after weighing in at 212.5 pounds.

“Talk is cheap,” the American said. “Now is the time. Actions speak louder than words. It’s definitely the most important fight of my career, but it’s not the most difficult. I’ve fought way tougher guys than him. I’m going to knock him out.”

Wilder’s weight is the lightest of his career. He had weighed in at just over 214 pounds for the last defence of his title in March against Luis Ortiz.

The 33-year-old’s heaviest career weight came in a 2015 defence against Eric Molina.

Fury is returning to the ring this year after more than a twoyear absence and weighed 256.5 pounds for his last fight against Francesco Pianeta in August.

The 30-year-old self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” had reportedly ballooned to around 400 pounds during his spell out of boxing as he battled depression, drink and drug problems.

For Wilder, it has been a decade in waiting for the chance to pick on somebody his own size.

Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) is the most accomplished American heavyweight boxer of his era, a superb athlete with vicious punching power and a reckless streak.

The Olympic medallist has stopped every man who ever stepped in the professional ring with him, following up his lone decision victory with a knockout in the first round of the rematch.

I’ve fought way tougher guys than him. I’m going to knock him out

DEONTAY WILDER, ON TYSON FURY

Yet even Wilder agrees he has never fought anyone approaching his own stature – not in physical size, but in achievement – until quite recently.

“Everybody has their appointed time,” Wilder said. “My time is now.”

When Wilder steps into the ring to defend his WBC title against Fury (27-0, 19 KOs), he will finally have the right opponent on the right stage at the right moment.

Fury is the lineal champion of the heavyweight division, thanks to his upset victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.