Fighters engaging in a staredown ahead of big prize fights is accepted behavior, but Tuesday in Los Angeles was very much out of the ordinary as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder locked eyes for fully SIX MINUTES.
Both men were clearly looking to get a mental edge ahead of their trilogy fight in Las Vegas on Saturday July 24.
And after the words were done at Tuesday’s press conference, it was time to meet face to face on the stage – and the confrontation did not disappoint.
Longest staredown ever?
The pair stood facing each other for an eternity, largely silent as their respective teams hurled insults back and forth.
It was high drama and high stakes with both fighters looking to get an edge. Who would break first?
Eventually it was Deontay who made the move, putting on his sunglasses and walking away as team Fury cheered and shouted “we’ve won”.
Latest Fury vs Wilder 3 odds
Fury is currently trading as a -275 favorite with online bookmakers – he destroyed Wilder in their Las Vegas rematch in February 2020.
Deontay, who suffered his first pro defeat that night in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, is a +240 underdog here but those odds are gradually shrinking.
It will be fascinating to see what the experts make of Tuesday’s events. Even before the staredown, Wilder put on his headphones and refused to take questions from the media during the press conference.
Fury meanwhile was his normal confident and crazy self. Promising to KO Wilder even quicker than he did last time.
It should be another wild build-up and another explosive fight. We’ll bring you all the latest boxing betting news and expert picks in fight week.