Deontay Wilder v. Tyson Fury Press Conference Transcript

Joe Tessitore: (00:00)
First, standing at six feet, seven inches. He is undefeated in his campaign in the ring, with an outstanding record of 42 wins, no losses, one draw, with 41 big wins coming by way of knockout. A US Olympian. He’ll be making the 11th defense of his current title from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Here is the hard hitting, reigning and defending, undefeated WBC Heavyweight Champion of the world. The Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder. And now, ladies and gentlemen, standing at six feet, nine inches. He also was undefeated in his campaign with a record of 29 wins, no losses, one draw, with 20 wins coming by way of knockout. He holds the coveted Lineal Heavyweight Title from Manchester, England. Please welcome the renown, the colorful and the undefeated former Unified Heavyweight Champion of the world. The Gypsy King, Tyson Fury. All right, gentlemen. Guys, we invite you to take a seat.

Tyson Fury: (03:30)
Look how small you are, you little midget. [crosstalk 00:03: 38].

Guys, please take a seat. Let’s start the news conference. [inaudible 00:04:10] Yeah, we’re ready to go. Deontay is going to sit here. Champs going to sit there. Fury is going to sit there. You guys are both going to be here.

[inaudible 00:05:47].

Deontay Wilder: (05:20)
You supposed to be in shape, what are you talking about, boy? [crosstalk 00:06: 03]. I’m going to stand over your body, I’m going to stand over your body like a murder scene.

Tyson Fury: (06:05)
You’re here to make numbers off me, that’s it. [crosstalk 00:06:08]. Get your own show. I’m the dominant heavyweight in the world. [crosstalk 00:06:14]. I’m the dominant heavyweight.

I don’t believe nothing you say. I don’t believe nothing that you say. That’s a sign right there.

Tyson Fury: (06:22)
That’s a sign for you.

That’s a sign right there. [crosstalk 00:06:30]. I’m not Clint though. I laid you out. You saw your life flash before your eyes.

Tyson Fury: (06:36)
I didn’t.

Everybody did.

Tyson Fury: (06:38)
Yeah. The only thing is though, D, is you couldn’t me down.

Everybody did.

Tyson Fury: (06:41)
I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down. You little pussy. [crosstalk 00:06:51].

Okay, sit.

I handle business, little bitch. Yeah, you scared. He better be shook. He supposed to be, because it’s part two. And when that bell rings, can’t nobody save you.

Tyson Fury: (07:05)
Testing, testing.

Can’t nobody save you.

Tyson Fury: (07:05)
Bring this attitude to the ring.

Can’t nobody save you. I’m going to bring more than that.

Here, Champ.

Tyson Fury: (07:11)
Bring this attitude with you.

It’s all good, baby.

Tyson Fury: (07:13)
Hey, how are you, Joe?

How y’all doing?

Champ, great to be with you.

Good to see you too. [crosstalk 00:07:17].

Well, the original plan was going to be_.

… part two, baby.

Shelly, nice to have you as well. Extra security is always welcome. Please, Shelly.

Part two, baby.

Tyson Fury: (07:30)
Part one.

They will be up in a little bit, great. Excellent. Good. Perhaps, far beyond my better judgment-

… your whole 6’9 body just laying across like a murder scene, and I’m going to do it again. Trust me.

Well, it’s nice to be with you guys again. Good to be with you, Champ. Tyson, good to be with you.

Tyson Fury: (07:50)
Thank you very much, Joe. Nice to see you.

Nice to see you as well. I was planning on sitting over here, but based on the circumstances I’ll think I’ll, beyond my better judgment, sit right here and hope nothing happens. Why the change in tone? I said to you about a month ago, I’ve marveled, I said it to you as well. I’ve marveled at how deferential the two of you have been in the lead up to this fight. You guys have shown great respect. You are well measured when we were together in LA a couple times, a month and a half ago and then a month ago, but fight week changes things, clearly.

Final count down.

It change this things, clearly.

Final count down. 48 hours.

So here’s what I’d like to do if we can keep some composure here and some guardrails to a well managed conversation. And by the way, I do want to congratulate you on both arriving to this point. And on behalf of boxing media and boxing fans and American sports fans, also thank the two of you for leading the way with what needs to be a more common trend in the sport, and that is simply the best fighting the best, willing to say, forget business boundaries, this is what the sport should be on top of the mountain. So, congratulations for that as simply arriving to this point for all of us to take this in. And also thank you for the past month and a half, two months, of unprecedented access, great varied and thoughtful interviews. Because the promotional lead up has been sensational. So let’s try to continue that in what is the last time you guys are speaking here on stage and to the public.

The third and final time, you’ll have the weigh in on Friday, which both networks will be bringing. And then of course, the Pay-Per-View comes Saturday night at nine. As the WBC Champ and the holder of the green belt. And this being your 11th title defense with 41 knockouts. I will give you the opening comment here. You have a live mic, but we’re going to respect his opening comment of however you would like to start this news conference, Champ.

Well, what can I say? It’s the final countdown like I said, and we all should be happy. This is the moment in time that we all been waiting for, the biggest fight of both of our lives, unfinished business as I call it. And I can’t wait. Y’all know me, when I say I can’t wait, I mean every word of it. It’s torturing for me the week of the fight to be able to have to sit around and wait as the days drop, as the hours fall down, the seconds fall, just to see here, to wait to put my hands on a body. This is what I’ve been preparing myself for. This is what I’ve been waiting so many months for. This could have been happened long time ago, but somebody put on they running shoes and they should have, they need more warm-ups. They needed to get themselves convinced that they’re the best when they know they’re not.

I can’t wait and don’t he dare ever, he better not ever say he got me into big time boxing. Ever again, I’m a slap him, because if somebody-

Tyson Fury: (10:51)
… welcome to big time boxing.

If anybody [crosstalk 00:10:55] to big time boxing to me, don’t ever forget when I found you, you were strung out on coke, when I found to you was like a big house contemplating about killing yourself. So don’t you ever forget who brought you to big time boxing. I drugged you back. I brought you back. I provided food and put food on your table for your family to eat. And I’m doing it for the second time. So don’t you ever forget that. I brought you to big time boxing. The last time you were here. What did you do? Who came up and showed and saw you? How many? 15 the first time. 35 the second time. When I came, how many showed up? Damn near sold it out. This time around, I sold the Pay-Per-View too. And this time around they’re here for me to see unfinished business.

Tyson Fury: (11:37)
Untrue. All untrue.

That’s facts. [crosstalk 00:11:44].

Tyson Fury: (11:37)
I brought you to big time.

That’s facts. I’m talking.

Tyson Fury: (11:47)
I gave you your biggest payday.

I’m talking, banana peel. I’m talking big woman.

Tyson Fury: (11:51)
You was fighting in front of 100,000 people on TV.

I’m talking, Bib Mama. I brought you back.

Tyson Fury: (11:56)
You’re a bum.

You were strung out on cocaine, bruh.

Tyson Fury: (11:59)
No one knows you.

You as big as a house, bruh.

Tyson Fury: (12:01)
Before you cherry-picked me.

You were contemplating about killing yourself, because you didn’t want to live anymore, bruh. [crosstalk 00:12:08]. Get your fat ass up.

Tyson Fury: (12:05)
You thought you was getting yourself an easy victory, did you?

I said you [crosstalk 00:12:13]. I said, “I dare you to come back.”

Tyson Fury: (12:14)
It didn’t work out.

I said you won’t come back. And what you did? Come on.

Tyson Fury: (12:18)
I come back and kicked your ass all over.

You heard me. You took my advise, didn’t you?

Tyson, you want time for an opening comment, or would you like to just engage back and forth?

He can’t help himself, because he knows there’s something that’s killing him inside.

Tyson Fury: (12:30)
He’s talking absolute nonsense.

Do you just want to engage in this? You want an opening, you want time for an opening comment? Go ahead and [crosstalk 00:12:37]. Please go ahead and take a minute for your opening comment and then we will fully engage here for an hour.

Maybe them drugs got him lying so much.

Go ahead, Tyson.

But, I revived him. He didn’t have to go to rehab. I gave him his rehab, I rehabilitated him back. And here he is now. The second time around.

Tyson Fury: (12:54)
Are you finished yet?

No.

Tyson Fury: (12:56)
Keep going then. Continue. This is your five minutes of fame. Continue.

I’m still talking, and here we are now-

Tyson Fury: (13:01)
… try and speak a little bit more clearer, because I can’t understand a word you’re saying. [crosstalk 00:13:06].

Champ, are you done with your opening comments?

Something hitting him in his heart. So, I’m going to let him speak.

All right. Tyson, you’re opening comment. And then, trust me, we will go back and forth.

Look how he shaking. I done hit a nerve. He is shaking on the table, boy.

Go ahead, Tyson.

Go ahead, bruh. Go ahead.

Tyson Fury: (13:17)
Is he finished?

Go ahead, man.

He says he’s finished.

I’m going to give you your time.

The floor is yours. Lineal Heavyweight Champion, sixth defense of the traditional rich Lineal Belt, please, Tyson Fury.

Tyson Fury: (13:27)
Deontay Wilder spouting a lot of rubbish. He gave me an opportunity, did he? I give him his biggest paydays of his whole life. Got him a big contract with Showtime, brought him to the biggest stage in the world, being Las Vegas. And here he is, this is how he thanks me. He’s got a whole lot of appreciation for someone who’s fed him, looked after him and put millions in his account. Very nice person, D. You owe me everything. I brought you to this level. Welcome to big time boxing. It’s his second fight on the top. He fought his number one ranked opponent, Louis Ortiz, in his last fight. He’d done [crosstalk 00:13:58]. Against 300, 000 buys, in the biggest country in the world. I can fight a bum do a million views at home.

Well, you’re not home.

Tyson Fury: (14:09)
Well, I am home. Because this is the home of The Gypsy King. Bum!

How many did you do?

Tyson Fury: (14:11)
This is the home of The Gypsy King.

How much did you do when you fought here?

Tyson Fury: (14:16)
Home of the Gypsy King, Las Vegas.

You remember the time when you fought here? [crosstalk 00:14:20]. How many came and saw you?

Tyson Fury: (14:21)
With the biggest entertainer?

How many came and saw your talent?

Tyson Fury: (14:24)
It was full in here when I boxed.

It wasn’t full. It was 1,500 and you gave away the rest of the tickets.

Tyson Fury: (14:27)
Full. Get your video back up and you’ll see. [crosstalk 00:14:28].

The last time was 3,500 and you gave away the rest of the tickets.

Tyson Fury: (14:32)
Listen, [crosstalk 00:14:33] show fighter, and give you the opportunity to defend your belt.

Stop playing.

Tyson Fury: (14:37)
But, when I take it off you and burst your bubble.

Stop playing.

Tyson Fury: (14:39)
Just like the last British man, came here, burst the bubble of an undefeated fighter.

See, they always [crosstalk 00:14:46].

Tyson Fury: (14:45)
Boom, they always get beaten again.

See, they always want to take the credibility of when we invent something, they want to write their name on that shit. It’s been through history and time and here it is again. Right before our very fucking eyes.

Tyson Fury: (14:56)
Damn right.

You want to take the credibility of something that you can’t, you don’t have no claim to name to. I brought you back. I gave you the biggest purse. Everything you say is what I’ve done to you. Just keep it real, bro. We fighters. Ain’t no shame in our game. [crosstalk 00:15:13].

Tyson Fury: (15:11)
There’s no need to carry on talking bullshit. We’re here to fight. Whatever you want to be, an actor or whatever, listen bring your A-Game.

I’m Deontay Wilder. The baddest man on the planet. [crosstalk 00:15:22]. The one that’s going to whoop your ass. And put everything else-

Tyson Fury: (15:27)
… like you did last time, yeah?

Just like I did last time.

Tyson Fury: (15:30)
Couldn’t do it last time.

How many times you dreamt about the 12th round?

Tyson Fury: (15:33)
Never.

Because that’s the only thing that y’all can promote. Hello. Can you talk? Cat got your tongue? Kiss you in your mouth?

I’ll tell you what, let’s have a great conversation about that 12th round in a moment. What I want to focus in on right now-

… apple head ass-

… is the path that you both took to arrive here, so look back at the past year and how you both have arrived to this mega event.

Video Promo: (16:02)
Deontay Wilder points out his ultra explosive 2019 as a big positive. To get ready for this particular fight, I’ve came up with too dramatic devastating knock outs. A first round knockout of Dominic Breazeale dropped jaws, then his November rematch with veterans skill challenger Luis Ortiz, equally impressive and a bit risky. Wilder trailed on the scorecards, but his ultimate eraser finished things is seven.

Video Promo: (16:29)
The Gypsy King, Tyson Fury. Fury’s 2019 was far more unpredictable. He chose a new promotional partner, a new TV network. I just wanted to show the ESPN+ viewers, the Gypsy King, Tyson Fury. And a starring role in Vegas. Flawless in a June knockout of Tom Schwartz, badly bloodied and brawling for victory over Otto Wallin in September. Deontay Wilder, I want you next, bum. 47 stitches later. He was off to headline an interview. This isn’t your world, Fury. His popularity soared as Wilder waited. This is finishing what I started. This time around he won’t be able to get up. And now two very different roads taken, have the champs reunited for this ultimate showdown.

Gentlemen, it was an incredible past year for each of you. Obviously, your rise in fame of coming State side to Vegas and two knockouts that could win knock out of the year. Sensational. But by far the biggest takeaway when you watch that in terms of thinking about this fight, is 47 stitches along that eye. Your reaction-

… that’s supposed to be stopped, by the way-

… to what happened in September. And your feeling for the impact that it could make on this fight Saturday night, Deontay?

I mean, it’s going to be a big factor. It’s going to be a big, big factor. Not for me, but for him. That’s what he’s been thinking about. Joe, it’s a lot of energy that’s been circulating throughout his … nervous energy that’s been circulating throughout his camp. It’s a lot of secrets that’s been going on. There’s a lot of things they’ve been covering up.

What do you want to share with us?

I don’t want to share nothing with you. But I just want to let you know it’s subliminal messages. This is what we’ve been getting for all these years. I’m giving you a subliminal message being a veteran in this sport, I understand. I know. I have a sixth sense. I know what nervous energy is and what it look like and what it smells like. Pussy. And I can’t wait. I can’t wait. I can’t wait.

And you believe that cut brings about that nervousness?

That’s part of it. That’s the one thing. [crosstalk 00:18:42].

Tyson, how is the eye?

He’s concerned about the cut. Not me.

How is the eye and how’s the scar tissue? 47 stitches, plastic surgery inside and out. How’s it holding up?

Tyson Fury: (18:52)
Terrible. It come open four times in training camp. It’s been coming open with little flicks. So he shouldn’t have any problems opening it up then, shouldn’t he? The biggest puncher that’s ever lived. The so called biggest puncher, couldn’t even keep a man down in the 12th round. [crosstalk 00:19:05].

You recently made comments that you want to taste blood? You’ve said this before and you’ve said it in the lead up here.

Tyson Fury: (19:09)
It does not bother me. I want to take him, I’m going to cut him, and see how he feels like. I’m going to see if he’s going to get up off the floor. I don’t think he’s got the bottle, minerals, bullocks, whatever you want to call it. He ain’t got it. He’s an on top fighter. He’s a bully fighter. And when a bully gets bullied, he folds every single time.

There was, as we were sitting here and the three of us were watching the highlights of the past year, Deontay-

… you talking about them knockouts?

The two incredible knockouts.

Okay.

It was tinged with derision as he was watching your two fights that took place here in Vegas. What did you learn about yourself with the two fights here in Vegas over the course of the past year?

That he couldn’t stay up.

Tyson Fury: (19:44)
You know, I learned a lot of things. I learned I can come here and crack the biggest country in the world and become a bigger star than their homegrown heavyweight. That’s one thing I learned. I learned that I can unite two TV stations, ESPN+ and Fox Pay-Per-View. And unite two of the biggest rival promoters in the world. Is there anything the Gypsy King can’t do? Including slap him in the mouth-

Tyson Fury: (20:03)
Is there anything The Gypsy King can’t do, including slap him in the mouth? Nothing I can’t do, already done it. Been there, done it, wore the tee shirt and million times Wilder, this is a big act for him. He’s very nervous underneath. I can see his jumper going in and out with his heartbeat, pounding out of his chest. Terrified.

You believe he’s nervous right now, sitting on age.

Tyson Fury: (20:21)
He’s nervous as hell. He don’t know what to expect. Doesn’t know what to expect and he’s getting up tight.

[crosstalk 00:20:27] Stand up man. When I knock you out, go do stand up comedy, bro. You got a career in that. You got a career in that.

Tyson Fury: (20:36)
[crosstalk 00:20:36] When I knock you out, you’ll be crying for a rematch.

Run, go, just do that. You got a British accent and that’s what they laughed at. They’re not laughing with you. They’re laughing at you because of your accent. You goofy, your big mama. You know what I’m saying? Your big goofy big mama.

Tyson Fury: (20:55)
You quite don’t understand what you’re saying. You speak English.

Exactly.

Tyson Fury: (20:57)
You’re speaking it right now.

So you understand what I’m saying. If you don’t, you know the saying, “What’s understood don’t have to be explained,” because come February the 22nd your body going to be laying right there.

I do want to ask you something about your match- [crosstalk 00:21:12]

Tyson Fury: (21:08)
Just like it was before.

Just like that, but this time around you ain’t getting up, because I brought my six inch nails and I bought a big hammer from Alabama, baby. You know up.

Tyson Fury: (21:19)
Ain’t going nowhere. I’m going to knock you spike out.

You know what up.

Tyson Fury: (21:22)
I can’t wait to do. You’re nothing but a big skinny little-

Sit down!

Tyson Fury: (21:28)
You ain’t no nothing.

Sit down!

Tyson Fury: (21:29)
You ain’t scary.

Sit down!

Tyson Fury: (21:30)
You’re not terrifying. I look at you and see a pussy with a nose ring.

Sit down!

Tyson Fury: (21:38)
Punch him all over the stage right now.

Sit down, man.

Tyson Fury: (21:40)
He couldn’t do nothing about it. Take him and throw him across that ring.

Sit down. You ain’t going to. You don’t believe none of the words that you say. You can’t punch. I don’t know what you’re talking about, knocking somebody out in the second round. You ain’t never knocked nobody in no second round. You got pillows for fist. That’s why I kept winning through you. Because you can’t punch.

Tyson Fury: (21:58)
I did Knock out my last opponent.

You can’t punch.

Tyson Fury: (22:01)
You told that man to drop it and he fell.

I’ll tell you what, I do want to get into flight strategy because you did put that out there about the second round knockout. There’s so much to take. You’ve been so open with the strategy. What do you say we take a quick and much needed break for a moment. When we come back, we will get into the fight strategy of what we will see Saturday night. The final news conference, Wilder Fury Two continues from Vegas after this.

Crew: (22:26)
Cut.

I’m real, bro, I’m a real man. That’s one thing about me, there’s no debasing me. I’m going to keep it real at all times.

Tyson Fury: (24:09)
[inaudible 00:24:09] must make some questions out there.

Questions?

Tyson Fury: (24:13)
They aren’t calling in, they just listen.

Out there on that date I had the world’s attention.

Tyson Fury: (26:01)
The first fight’s not important. The first fight was a failure. A success is victory. There was no victory in that fight by either one and that’s why we’re having a rematch, to set it straight.

We would just have [Missing Audio 00:06:15], exchanging blows.

Tyson Fury: (26:15)
I can’t go to bed at night thinking Deontay Wilder nearly knocked me out. I haven’t thought about anything for a whole year.

When I connected and him laying over the canvas, I definitely thought it was over.

Tyson Fury: (26:29)
It should have been bye bye. I remember opening me eyes and I just jumped straight up. The referee looked at me like amazed, like, “Are you okay?”

Having that experience with him the first time and looking in on this time, I don’t think it’s nothing, absolutely nothing in the world that he can do. I’m going to knock him out. If not, he’s definitely going to be laid out on the canvas.

Kate: (26:54)
Well, one thing is for sure Deontay Wilder is an absolute knockout machine. He knocked out each of the first 32 opponents that he faced from 2008 to 2014. He did not knock out [inaudible 00:27:06] in their first fight, but he made good on that in the rematch. The one fighter that he never knocked out was Tyson Fury, though he did knock him down twice, giving Wilder 41 knockouts in 43 career fights. Very warm welcome back to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Kate Abdo with Tim Bradley, Sean Ports. We had wondered whether things would switch up in fight week. Now you know.

Speaker 1: (27:27)
I’ve told you Kate, I told you fight week, the tension, the nervousness is flared. You know both these guys, they’re undefeated. That’s what you’re going to get in these types of events when you have number one and number two. They thoroughbreds. Alpha males.

Speaker 2: (27:42)
I think we got a good glimpse of what’s going to happen Saturday.

Speaker 1: (27:45)
Yeah, exactly right. That’s my point.

Speaker 2: (27:47)
Deontay Wilder standing up there strong, like a King, like he says he is.

Speaker 1: (27:50)
I believe it.

Speaker 2: (27:51)
And then and then, Tyson Fury comes right at him.

Speaker 1: (27:54)
I agree with that.

Speaker 2: (27:55)
Comes right to his face.

Speaker 1: (27:56)
When Wilder was speaking, he was saying everything with conviction. When fury was speaking, he was saying everything with conviction. I believe what these guys are saying, I believe it’s going to be a knockout. Somebody get knocked out.

Speaker 2: (28:09)
I never didn’t think that somebody was getting knocked out.I never did not think that. Somebody is getting knocked out.

Speaker 1: (28:16)
Somebody’s getting knocked out after this right here, after what we just witnessed, absolutely.

Speaker 2: (28:21)
They warmed it up.

Speaker 1: (28:22)
Yeah, absolutely. I agree. 100%.

Kate: (28:25)
Let’s see what else they’ve got Joe Tessitore, back to you.

Thank you, Kate, I think. All right, gentlemen, you took a nice break there. We were all able to watch the 12th round of December 1st, 2018 as we are here with the WBC champ Deontay Wilder, who has the highest knockout percentage in the history of the heavyweight division. Beyond Joe Lewis, beyond Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston, Iron Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, anybody, the highest knockout percentage and to my left, the lineal heavyweight champion of the world, who absorbs the fewest amounts of punches statistically of any heavyweight on earth.

Tyson Fury: (29:02)
Say it again, baby, say it again!

The most beautiful tactician, the most elusive heavyweight that exists in all of boxing.

What side you rather be on?

The question that comes as everybody draws back to the 12th round of December 1st, 2018, when the bell rings Saturday night, is it simply round 13? Do you just pick up where the two of you left off?

Yes indeed.

Get that mic to your mouth?

Yes, indeed. It’s unfinished business, like I said, we definitely picking up where we left off. He just changed his game. He done changed his whole team and they even changed up everything, so I can’t speak for him, but I’m definitely picking up what I left off at, in a more calmer, patient, and devastating fashion.

You got it. Go ahead Tyson.

Tyson Fury: (29:53)
Round 12 was a good round. Credit to Wilder, he got me with two of the best punches I’ve ever seen thrown in a 12 round heavyweight fight. As we’ve seen, it’s been very, very famous. The knock down or the Gypsy King has been very, very, very active online and all over the world. The thing that Wilder must be thinking is, “I hit that guy with my best two punches I can ever throw, in round 12, and he got up. [crosstalk 00:30:24] “What have I got to do to keep him down?”

How does that play in your head, the fact that you hit him that flush, with that combination, and we saw him rise up. We saw him go pure Undertaker, the resurrection of a six foot nine heavyweight, to then come forward at you in the last two minutes. How does that play in your head?

It felt good hitting him, and dropping him, and felt good seeing him rise, because the hype lived up to the fight. When fans come and see heavyweights, they want to see knockouts, they want to see knocked down. When you knock a guy down and he rise up like that, and then come back and still see that he got it and stuff, man, that make great fights, you know what I’m saying? I’m not mad at that at all. It was a controversial decision, what leads to now, a even bigger fight, more exposure, more attention, so more devastating, I ain’t mad, bro.

There are some who have put forth the idea that something clicked in your head, that all of a sudden, when you got up and you stepped to him, you solve the riddle a bit and then you have been so openly talking about your strategy of, “I’m going to come in North towards the 270 pounds,” of, “I’m going to press the action and step to the puncher,” which is so counterintuitive to everything we would know in the boxing intelligentsia of one of the best, most elusive big men stepping to the most destructive puncher the division’s ever known. Why?

Tyson Fury: (31:49)
It’s a bold move, that’s for sure, but we fight fire with fire. The confidence I’m taking to this flight enables me to take confidence from going forward at him. I’ve never lost a dog fight, ever. Even when I’ve got off the floor, even in round 12, when I went at him aggressive, he was all over the show. He couldn’t contain me. So, if I do that from round one, he’s going to be gassing by round five and I’m going on for dear life. If he even gets that far.

I don’t buy nothing he says. The only thing that I believe in Tyson fury, that he said, is that you got to nail him to his coffin. And like I said, I brought six feet inch nails and a big hammer from Alabama. You know what I’m saying? That’s the only thing I believe that come out of this man mouth, because of course, he got to promote and hype up the fight. With that being said, a lot of the fighters, they like to tell a lot of lies, to say things are not true to make themselves look better and whatever. I understand, I get that, but when it’s time for that bell ring and say ding, everything else goes out the window. I ain’t worried about these fighters. I’m special. That what differentiate me from the rest. My power, my heart, my willingness to go at these guys, my lion’s heart. They know what they in for when they fight me. That’s why they change up trainers. That’s why they do more than what they supposed to do and now he’s dipping his hand in damn gas.

You’ve often described that power as a blessing and a curse. How so?

It’s a blessing because, I can get a guy at any given time. You know my saying, they have to be perfect for 12 rounds, 36 minutes, I only have to be perfect for two seconds. The curse is, like my doctor said, he never seen anyone with power like this as a human being and he said only two things that happened. He said, when I hit something, I destroy it, or it destroys me. As you can see, this whole arm is like Frankenstein right here and it’s just adding on. You know what I mean? I got more scars on me than I have tattoos.

Your arm was injured prior to the first fight, but yet not a lot of people knew that. You’ve only started talking about that in recent months. How different has this training camp been?

It’s been a lot different. You know, I’m more healthier this time. My arm was a lot better. I’m able to throw it with four power. That first time, I didn’t even throw it in camp, because I didn’t want to injure it. I said if I was going to injury, any type of form or fashion, any type of way that I’d rather to do it in the fight, at least I know I’m getting paid. When you’re doing an in sparring, only thing you can get from that is a delay and I didn’t want to delay this fight.

We’re going to take some questions from the media. Please introduce yourself and go ahead.

Speaker 3: (34:42)
Andrea sail from the Sport News. Deontay, the first fight you went viral. You had, till this day, you had the knockdowns. This is black history month. Are you looking to make a big moment in black history come February 22nd?

Oh my God, they pick the wrong date. They picked the wrong month for this fight to happen. I’ve said that many times. And when I knock the gypsy queen out, we’re going to have a black history trivia question. There’s going to be spread it all over the world and they’re going to be able to write it any type of way they want it.

Speaker 3: (35:13)
Tyson, question for you. Do you think there’s any chance that Deontay can win a decision against you in this fight, or is the only path to victory a knockout?

Tyson Fury: (35:23)
I’m not sure, but I’m not reading into all this racial thing, with the black man versus a white man and black history month. I will refuse to go into any thought of anything about it. We are two human beings, two heavyweights on top of our game. This is not a racial war. This is too heavyweight boxers going toe to toe for all the jewels and heavyweight boxing. Nothing more, nothing less. Just like to clear that up nice and clear.

I would like your reaction to something, though, because a decision was brought up and obviously the way you guys have been going at it here on stage, everybody’s expecting this thing never to get to the cards, but let’s put up the cards from the first fight, which was the split draw, and then let’s discuss how you see the scores from the first fight up here, and then let’s discuss the news today.

The news today is that Dave Moretti, Steve Weissfield, and Glenn Feldman, veteran judges, have been announced as the judges for your fight. These three of Moretti, Whitefield, and Feldman have worked numerous championship bouts as well as the referee, Kenny Bayless. Your reaction to the judges and now Kenny Bayless being announced as the referee assignment.

Tyson Fury: (36:34)
They’re all very experienced judges. As we’re saying, Kenny Bayless is a top referee. He’s refereed me before. He’d done a good job. I’ve got no objections with the referees and judges at all, whoever they are, they are. They’re going to do a good job. Right. It’s the biggest stage on the planet. No real concern about the referee and the judges, for sure.

Bayless, a veteran of mega fights, Pacquiao/ Mayweather and Pacquiao/Marquez, heavyweight championship fights. Your reaction at all to the judges and or to Kenny Bayless being named the referee by the Nevada state athletic commission.

I think they all are qualified to do a great job. I’m looking forward to the fight come the 22nd, Saturday. I’ve never complained about the judges or the referee.

You typically don’t worry about judges.

I don’t worry about that because I have devastating power.

Let’s take another question from the media.

Speaker 4: (37:25)
Tyson, Sam Gordon here, Las Vegas Review Journal, a lot of historically great heavyweight title fights here in Las Vegas, but nothing of this magnitude for quite some time. what does it mean for you to be at the epicenter of the heavyweight Renaissance here in Las Vegas?

Tyson Fury: (37:40)
It’s a big show and I’m very happy that we could all get together and put this on for the fans around the world. If there’s anything as good as the talking we’re doing up on stage, I’m in for a real treat, that’s for sure. Let’s hope both men backup all the shit talk and put on a good fight, which really counts and really matters on the night.

Deontay, anything for you to react to Tyson there?

The question was directed towards him.

Sure. Understood. Do you have any reaction before we take another quick break?

Nah, next question.

Okay. I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to take a break. We’re going to invite the trainers up and we’ll remind everybody how to buy the fight. Saturday’s paper view, the ultimate showdown in the heavyweight division, the undefeated champions. You can go to Fox sports.com/paper view. You can click “Buy Now,” you can download Fox sports app, stream it live from your favorite device. You can also go to ESPNplus.com/wilder fury, click “buy now,” or watch it on ESPN app or go to ESPN plus tab and click Wilder/Fury fight tile. And, of course, it’s available on pay per view. We’re going to take a quick break. (silence)

Silence: (38:44)
[Silence 00:42:21].

Speaker 5: (38:44)
Tyson Fury. The fastest [inaudible 00:42:24]. Here he goes. [inaudible 00:42:28].

Speaker 6: (38:44)
Doesn’t get more bigger than this.

Speaker 7: (38:44)
You know this is the best versus the best. [inaudible 00:42:44].

Speaker 6: (42:45)
Two undefeated Heavyweight Champions going toe to toe together compete as champions. [inaudible 00:42:59]

Speaker 7: (42:58)
[inaudible 00:42:59].

My main job is to knock you out. I don’t do that very well. Like I tell guys, don’t blink. Because in the blink of a eye, that could be the last time you may even stepping aside of a ring. And here we are now.

Tyson Fury: (43:17)
I predict a round two knock out.

I’m going to knock Fury out. [inaudible 00:43:19] up in business.

Tyson Fury: (43:23)
And again, I’m predicting a round two knock out.

And I’m going to finish what I started. This is [inaudible 00:43:29].

Speaker 8: (43:37)
[inaudible 00:43:37] Heavyweight Champions and what has been an electric final news conference here from the MCM Grand.

14th Heavyweight Championship Fight. And this’ll be only the third Heavyweight Championship rematch in history after a draw in the first fight. Deontay Wilder, the undefeated WBC Heavyweight Champion now joined by his longtime trainer, JD, is out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And the undefeated Lineal Heavyweight Champion, Tyson Fury, with the guy who’s going to be the chief second for the first time in a fight with Tyson. And that is from the famed Kroc Gym, Sugarhill Steward.

Gentlemen, thank you for joining us. I wanted to get into fight strategy right away, but this took such a different turn today compared to the tone that we’ve seen in most of the promotion for this fight, that I will start with simply asking you your reaction to what you’ve seen out of your two fighters here in the course of the past 45 minutes. J?

JD: (44:35)
It’s appalling. It’s horrible. It’s not good. It’s fight week. This is what’s supposed to happen. It’s one thing when it’s three months out, two months out, but it’s that week. It’s supposed to get like this. This is what happens when you have the two best heavyweights in the world. Both undefeated, both highly motivated, both as competitive as two humans on earth can be. This is what happens. I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Sugar?

Sugar: (45:04)
I’m excited about it. Watching the fight, his reactions. Everything has been quiet. Everything’s been subtle today. You saw the mood swings, you saw all the hard work that these fighters have been putting into their training camps. You just saw a glimpse of it on the stage here. That the emotions are going up, emotions are going down, emotions are going up. They’re going back down. This is what big time boxing is. These two guys are professional, but they still have their emotions. They still have the chip on their shoulder. They both want that win. Both of these fighters are just expressing themselves like they should.

Sugar, you’re one of the biggest variables in this entire lead up to this fight. Because the news of Ben Davison being out, still a great relationship but has been proven your former trainer with you, but here we go. Nearly a decade ago you came over stateside and you spent time in Detroit at the famed Kroc with the late great Emmanuel Steward, Sugar’s uncle, and you formed a bond also with your cousin Andy Lee, who will be working the corner with Sugarhill. Why the return to Kroc?

Tyson Fury: (46:29)
Because like I said many, many times in the build up to this fight, what I did last time clearly wasn’t good enough. So we have to change it up. And I’m going to look for the knockout. And who better or what better club to go to then Kroc?

What do you feel like you [crosstalk 00:46:44] what do you feel like you delivered over the course of the last eight weeks to Tyson, Sugar?

Sugar: (46:48)
I feel like I delivered everything that he asked for. He wanted to be better technical. He wanted to be more aggressive. He wanted to be a big, tall, dominant heavyweight.

Well, you guys have specialized in that for years with the heavyweights who have come out of your camp. [silence 00:47:06] the trainer change. What was your reaction to the fact that this camp went in a different direction?

JD: (47:09)
It surprised me because I think the world of Ben, I think Ben and Tyson have been through hell and back together and they were great for each other. It’s almost to use an English equivalent musically, you had Lennon and McCartney were fantastic separately, but together there was magic. And I think that Tyson and Ben had that kind of magic, probably still do on a personal level. Now Sugar is training him and he’s a great trainer. So I expect the very best Tyson Fury. And that’s what we’re ready for is the best Tyson Fury because, when Deontay wins this fight, I want Deontay to get the full credit for beating Fury at his absolute best. I don’t want there to be any talk. I want both guys at their best. And I think that’s what we got.

Guys, this camp has been very open and discussing their strategy. Also, discussing the weight that you want to come in on when you step on the scale come Friday afternoon. Let’s go and show the weights of what has been your recent fights. Because you are expected to come in upwards of potentially 15 pounds North of when you first fought, as you see the fight at 256 and a half against Wilder back in December of 2018, and then what you did against Otto Wallin and Tom Schwartz. Why come in at the heavier weight? Sugar?

Sugar: (48:24)
Why not? Tyson Fury’s a six nine he’s not six four, six, five. He can carry that weight along with the power. He’s a big strong heavyweight and the weight’s not going to hurt him. He still moves around just like a super middle weight. Still has the ring IQ to set things up and just add some punching power to his arsenal. 270 pounds? It’s not a problem.

And then we’ve also heard from the fighters discussing what you say, “Hey, second round knockout. I’m stepping right to them. Why not go that?” We discussed that between the three of us earlier. But J, when you hear Tyson and Sugarhill steward being so open and discussing, “We’re going to come in bigger. We’re going to step to the WBC champ.” What did you think?

JD: (49:13)
I mean whatever they do is what they do. And I think that if Tyson comes forward, like he says he’s going to, it’s going to be a lead to opportunities for Deontay. Because, we don’t worry about weight regardless. With Deontay, we don’t even use the scale at the gym. What he weighs is what he weighs. As long as he’s training hard and eating well, which he’s doing those things. What he weighs, he weighs. He’s a freak of nature. And so what the other guy does is not that much of a concern from a strategy point because the Deontay’s always the lighter guy. I mean in all these 40 plus fights, he’s probably been outweighed in all but four of them or so? So it’s normal. He’s fought guys a hundred plus pounds heavier. It’s never been an issue. It’s in fact, it’s usually advantageous.

What do you think you’re going to weigh on Friday? What do you think you’ll be on the scale on?

Well, I really don’t know, but I’ve been waking up at around by 230.

230?

You know what I’m saying? So I’ll probably come into 220’s.

Gotcha.

Maybe coming in at 230, so somewhere around there.

You guys bring a calming force to everything up here. Thank you for that. I appreciate that. Sugar, J, we’re going to let you go. We’re going to take another break here, the final news conference of Wilder Fury 2. And then gentlemen, we will let you have your final comments. And one last stare-down. We’re going to continue on from Vegas. Stay with us. Great job guys. Thank you for joining us.

JD: (50:38)
A lot more exciting when we’re not up here.

Yeah, it is. That’s for…

Silence: (50:41)
[Silence 00:50:52].

The final news conference of Wilder Fury 2. Of course, you can go to foxsports.com/pay-per-view and click buy now, or download the Fox Sports app to stream it live from your favorite device. You can also go to espnplus.com/wilderfury. Click buy now or watch it on the ESPN app. Go to the ESPN plus tab, click on Wilder Fury fight tile. Also available on pay per view. Joe Tessitore sandwiched between Deontay Wilder and Tyson fury. It has been a fascinating… And I think now people motivated very much here to see what happens on Saturday night past hour of a visit with two of you. I thank you for that. I thank you for engaging in such a thoughtful conversation after all the vitriol that we had early on here, but now I have a sense that it could be bubbling up again as I will offer each of you the chance for your closing comments.

Respectfully, I will ask for you to just sit back. Let Tyson go first. Then you will have your opportunity. We’ll wrap things up. And then one final face off. Everybody good with that? Tyson, the floor is yours.

Aaron: (54:34)
No face-off. No face-off.

No face off says Aaron. Gentlemen you can do as you please, but Aaron doesn’t want it. Please go ahead Tyson.

Tyson Fury: (54:41)
Lastly, thank you everyone who turned up today, all the news and media from around the world. I’m going to keep this short and sweet, not going to go on all day. Fight’s going to be an amazing fight. If it’s anything like what we’ve done today, it should be a very, very good fight to watch. Tune in on Saturday night. Fox pay per view, ESPN plus and BT sport box office. Be that be square. I’ll say it.

Very professional. Thank you. Deontay final comments of the final press conference.

Tyson Fury: (55:11)
Like I said, it’s the final countdown right here. You know, you can see that we emotionally invested in this. We want to give you guys the best of us. Come Saturday night, we’re going to release all our negative energy in the ring and it’s going to stay there. After the fight we’re going to be able to come together and give each other hugs and tell what great job we’d done. You know, right now it’s time and this is the moment we all been waiting for. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. I’m sure it’s the moment he’s been waiting for as well. To have so many people, so many eyes looking in… To put the heavyweight division on notice… Throughout these last few years it’s been tremendous what’s been going on.

Tyson Fury: (56:02)
And as our first fight, as y’all can see, it was amazing. We lit it up and this time around it won’t be no different. You know, I think it’ll be an even more intensive fight this time around. We know each other a little bit more better. And what more do you want from us? To get to give our all and that’s what we’re going to do for you guys. Come Saturday night. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait for it. And that’s it, baby.

We all can’t wait for it. Undefeated heavyweight champions meeting up. This is what the sport should always be at its very best and give credit to the two of you for making that happen. Yes. Yes.

One last thing. I’d like to thank everyone that’s been involved with this. The networks, the promotion, the promoters, the managers. Because with fights like this, it’s hard to come by. Especially nowadays. We always say, “The best should fight the best.” And sometimes that always can’t happen. It takes build up. It takes a certain point in time for that to happen. But this is something that’s never been done before. These are two networks, the two biggest networks in sports, Fox and ESPN. And we got Al Haymon, we got everybody that’s involve. There’s so many names to name. So many people. And everyone that knows whose involved, man. I just appreciate you from the bottom of my heart to get this fight going. And here we go guys. I can’t wait.

Speaker 6: (57:28)
Great credit to PBC and Fox to the whole thing. Promoter, Bob Arum and top rank and ESPN. Guys, you brought it in for a nice, calm landing. That was easy. Well done. Champ, good to be with you. Champ, good to be with you. Kate. Take it away. We survived somehow. It’s all you.

Kate: (57:46)
Yes, Tom. Thank you much. [inaudible 00:57:49] after here with Tim Bradley, Sean Porter. Listen, we heard a lot of constant back and forth between the two initially about who had made this a bigger fight. Doesn’t really matter in the end because we’re all winning in this one. Tim, what are your thoughts on…

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