Deontay Wilder has the difficult task of reconciling America with the category-queen of boxing, the heavyweights, being measured Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles at the British Tyson Fury, in operation reconquest after personal setbacks. Despite winning the WBC title in 2015 and defending victoriously seven times, Wilder remains, at age 33, largely unknown to the American public.
Unbeaten in 40 fights (including 39 wins by KO), he is far from the same notoriety as some of his predecessors like Sonny Liston, Mohamed Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier or Mike Tyson, celebrated in their time as superstars.
39 wins by KO
To escape this relative anonymity, the boxer from Alabama relies on his duel against Fury, which also displays a perfect record of 27 victories in as many fights. For the first time in his career, Wilder will participate in a TV fight in "pay per view" likely to explode his popularity.
"Thanks to me, America has a powerful man. America has the worst man on the planet, " he boasted Wednesday at a press conference in Los Angeles. "I worked hard to get there. I persisted in the work. It's out of the question for me to let a guy from another country take me what I've built, " he continued.
The winner of Saturday's fight will become, provided that its promoter lifts the last and usual obstacles, the next opponent of British Anthony Joshua, holder of the belts IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight. Like Wilder, Fury hopes to benefit from such a financial and sporting perspective.
The most dangerous fighter in world boxing
60 seconds of Deontay Wilder's Ferocious KOs. #WilderFury pic.twitter.com/VUezREIDA5
Descent into hell
Returning to the rings in April after two years of absence, the self-proclaimed "Gipsy King" put his depression and addiction to drugs and alcohol behind him. In November 2015, Fury scored a resounding victory over Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko, but subsequently went downhill. The Briton, who has been stripped of his various titles for missing two doping controls, has recently revealed that he has made a suicide attempt.
But after recovering his license, Fury made his comeback this year by dominating in April the Albanian Sefer Seferi in four rounds, then beating points in August the modest Italian Francesco Pianeta. Will these warm-ups be enough to bring down Wilder?
While many heavyweight legends like Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Tyson think Fury has the power and agility to dominate the American, others are more dubious.
Tyson Fury is the boy from a thousand roads.
Born talking.
Born traveling.
Born fighting.
This is the Gypsy King's story in his own words ... # RoadToRedemption pic.twitter.com/7lD2XmNgzc
"I'm going to kick his ass and knock him out"
"I will always rally behind the English flag. But I think this fight comes too early for Fury ... When Wilder touches it, it will be time to go to sleep, " said the British Dereck Chisora. To silence the critics, Fury assured that he would become the first boxer to put Wilder KO, while mocking the low reputation of his opponent.
Stung, Wilder sent him a warning.
"I'm going to kick his ass and knock him out. I promise you it will fall to the ground. I do not know when it's going to happen. But it will happen, " swore the American.
Behind-the-scenes footage revealing what was said between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury on stage
"Next time you get in my face, make sure you brush your teeth!"
Turn your sound on and listen to this ... pic.twitter.com/WjgBw2MKZf