Deontay Wilder looking ahead to Tyson Fury bout
Friday 15 January 2016 08:16, UK
Deontay Wilder says he can already 'visualise' a potentially explosive heavyweight title fight against Tyson Fury and wants to make it happen in 2016.
The American will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Artur Szpilka on Sunday morning - live on Sky Sports 1 - but revealed he is already looking ahead to a possible showdown with WBA, WBO and IBO holder Fury (25-0-KO18).
As part of this weekend's line-up, Vyacheslav Glazkov will face Charles Martin for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, the belt which was stripped from Fury after he beat Wladimir Klitschko in November.
Wilder (35-0-KO34), who is making a third defence of his crown against Szpilka, said he intends to follow Lennox Lewis in becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion and is keen to meet Fury this year.
"Me and Tyson have been promoting our fight for four years now. I think when that fight is officially done, that's already a sold out crowd - I can see it now," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Sometimes I visualise and daydream about that fight happening and I'm looking forward to coming to see my friends in the UK for that."
Wilder said he intends to be the "last man standing" in the heavyweight division ahead of Fury, David Haye and Anthony Joshua.
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Fury may be ringside at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for Wilder's fight on Saturday.
"I heard that and we are going to greet him well here to the fight and we are looking forward to seeing him," Wilder said.
"He has stated that once he fights Klitschko again and beats him he's going to fight me and I want him to promise me that - 2016 we will get this on once and for all and give the fans what they want to see.
"We are both in a position now where we are both champions, we have titles, and I'm looking to unify the division. I don't know what his goal is but it is the perfect time for it. If any time is perfect, 2016 is the perfect year.
"It is exciting times for the heavyweight division. I can feel the fire, the flames, the excitement of the heavyweight division and I'm excited to be a part of it and making it even bigger."
Szpilka has said in the run-up to the bout on Saturday that he will become Poland's first ever heavyweight champion, claims which were dismissed by Wilder.
"I've heard those words before - 'I'm going to be the first' - and everyone who said they were going to be the first have failed by the hands of me," Wilder said. "I'm enjoying being the WBC heavyweight champion of the world and I'm not looking forward to losing my baby ever.
"I'm looking forward to adding to the collection, actually. She's kind of needing a little company so there are a lot more belts out there and that's what I'm looking forward to.
"But I thank Artur for taking the opportunity and I always like guys who want to be the first in their country to do something. I'm big on making history and if they can do that is a great deal but when it's up to me, and it's me and you in the ring, you've got a chance - but you really don't have a chance."
Szpilka, who has claimed 15 of his 20 wins by knockout but was stopped by Bryan Jennings in 2014, is determined to make history against Wilder.
"I'm so happy to fight in front of so many great Polish fans. I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. I want to do it.
"There's no pressure on me. The pressure is on Deontay because I just want to be a world champion, he already is.
"I'm not just here to get my paycheck. Everyone who knows me, knows I come to fight. I don't just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.
"I have a bunch of friends coming in from Chicago but the next 48 hours will be mostly relaxing. I have a couple small training sessions with Ronnie (Shields) but that's it.
"I know you have to have a great respect for your opponent and I used to have respect for him. But after what he has said about me, I have a problem. You have to prove it in the ring. He has to do it in the ring, not outside the ring. He can say whatever he wants, but we will see it in the ring.
"I will fight hard and after the fight you will hear 'The new heavyweight champion of the world.' "
