Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are due to fight for a third time tonight, with the American hoping to avenge his crushing knockout loss in their second bout.
Wilder and Fury drew their first fight on the scorecards but the Briton dominated the rematch from the outset and will be looking to do the same again in defence of his WBC title.
The two heavyweights were involved in a blazing argument before their pre-fight press conference earlier in the week, which meant the traditional staredown was scrapped.
The pair fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night, with Fury defending his title after victory in February last year. It was the outcome of that bout 20 months ago – and Wilder’s unfounded allegations of cheating – that was the catalyst for a heated row.
Wilder had earlier doubled down on his assertion that Fury had only prevailed in their second fight because of underhanded tactics and said: “I don’t regret it, I will go to my grave believing in what I believe in.”
But in his closing remarks, Fury, who was accused without any evidence of tampering with his gloves last time out, asked why Wilder had brought in new trainer Malik Scott and overhauled his preparation for this trilogy contest.
Fury said: “I ask the question, if I only won because I cheated, what was the point of changing everything and doing all this other work?
“Deep down in his soul, he knows that he lost and he’ll lose again. After this fight he’ll be back working in that fast food chain that he was working at earlier on in his career. It’s retirement for him.
“You’re in denial and you’re getting knocked out. Do yourself a favour and retire, your legacy’s in bits, all the excuses, you’ve been destroyed. No one’s even believed you, everyone’s laughing at you. You’re a weak man.”
What is it?
The third fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, who will battle for the WBC heavyweight title. Fury was on track to meet Anthony Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight crown late this summer in Saudi Arabia, but the biggest fight in British boxing history collapsed when a judge in the US ruled Wilder had the contractual right to a third contest with the ‘Gypsy King’.
When is Fury fight Wilder?
The fight takes place tonight – Saturday October 9 – in the United States…which is in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK.
Where is the fight?
Fury-Wilder 3 will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
What time is Fury vs Wilder 3?
It is due to begin after 4am BST, but largely depends on the undercard fights and how quickly they finish. It could be slightly later.
How to watch Fury vs Wilder 3 on TV
The trilogy fight between Fury and Wilder will be broadcast exclusively on BT Sport Box Office. If you don’t want to pay, or if you want running text commentary of the fight, bookmark this page and return on the evening for our live blog.
Fury vs Wilder weigh-in
The weigh-in took place in Las Vegas on Friday. Both competitors came in at the heaviest weights of their professional careers, with Fury tipping the scales at 19st 11lb and Wilder coming in at 17st. You can read all about that here.
