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Potential for fireworks at Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder press conference

Wilder

After accusations from Wilder that Fury cheated after stopping him in 2020, there is the potential for fireworks at Tuesday's press conference.

It was January 2002 when the then WBC president Jose Sulaiman was knocked unconscious at the Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis fight precursor.
Fast forward almost 20 years and there are genuine fears there could be an ugly repeat, when Tyson Fury comes face to face with Deontay Wilder at Tuesday's press conference in Las Vegas (1pm PT, 9pm GMT).

Current holder of the WBC heavyweight belt, Fury will fight Wilder on pay-per-view at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 24.

Today though the rivals will go head to head, streamed live on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter to publicise their trilogy bout.

It will be the first time they have been together since Wilder was left battered and bruised after a seventh-round onslaught by the 'Gypsy King' in February 2020.

World Boxing News claim there are real concerns from both parties that the Fury vs Wilder press conference could turn ugly, quickly.

So don't be surprised to see entourages from both sides swathed with security at the Novo.
A recovered Sulaiman later labelled the 2002 New York brawl "one of the very many instances that have recently taken place that degrade boxing".

And while broadcasters will be praying for fireworks, the authorities will be hoping the two giant rivals keep a lid on proceedings.

Wilder conspiracy theories

That may well be difficult if Wilder throws down the accusations he has stuck to ever since he was bowled over in Las Vegas.
Many fans went off the Alabama native when he cried foul in the aftermath of his crushing defeat to Fury. Many thought the 35-year-old was lucky to escape the first fight with a draw, despite knocking down Fury twice. And so when he suggested Fury had played dirty in fight two, his credibility waned.
Wilder initially blamed a heavy costume left him with "no legs".
Then came accusations that his water was spiked and that Fury's gloves were illegal.

Wilder still refuses to drop those conspiracy theories. And in an interview earlier this month with Premier Boxing Champions, he said: "They saw no evil.

"They didn't speak of it. You can't not see it!
"Gloves do not bend, your wrist does not bend.
"It doesn't have loose space in it. It's impossible, impossible for that to happen. On top of all the other things!"
Fury denied the claims.

'No excuses' this time

Whether those thoughts will help or hinder him next month is open to debate. But there is vociferous optimism coming from his camp, even though his co-manager Shelly Finkel's use of "no excuses" held a firm irony.

Finkel told Sky Sports: "He is definitely capable. Again, no excuses, he wasn't the Deontay we know in that second fight and we'll be looking to surprise the world.

"We're not really that surprised if it happens, but everyone else will and I honestly believe Deontay is going to stop him this time."
Things though have changed significantly for Wilder, who is the 9/4 outsider with the moneymen.
The 6ft 7in fighter has switched trainers to a man he once floored.

New trainer

Malik Scott, a trainer he describes as his 'brother" is the new brains behind Wilder.
Wilder claimed Breland threw in the towel too early and said his corner were involved in the 'spiking' of Wilder's water.
Scott replaced Mark Breland, who Wilder also pointed the finger at in the aftermath of defeat to Fury.

"He was the only one handling my water. He was the only one" Wilder told 78SPORTSTV in November last year.

"I have strong sources."

Wilder does though look rejuvenated, working alongside Scott and has looked sharp in training videos.

Developing his skill set and improving his movement are understood to have been Scott's priority, as Wilder looks to cope better with the size and speed of Wythenshawe-born Fury.

You can see from new social media clips that the Alabama native is really looking to focus on his skills and movement.

One eye on AJ

Wilder on the other hand has seen the last year dominated by talk of a fight with Anthony Joshua.

Wilder's lawyer-promoter Bob Arum made sure that AJ v Fury, a fight to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion, would fall at the final hurdle though.

Promoter Bob Arum scuppered Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fight this summer

Can Fury, 32, who is the heavy favourite with the bookies, refocus his sights on toppling Wilder for a second time?

AJ or 'the Hype Job', as referred to by Fury, will surely be in the back of his mind. And as Eddie Hearn states, Fury v Joshua could still be the fight of a generation before the turn of the year.

"If AJ knocks out Usyk and Fury knocks out Wilder then in four months we are talking about an even bigger fight," said Hearn.

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