WBC champion Deontay Wilder taunted rival Tyson Fury about his mental health battles as tempers flared throughout their final press conference last night at the MGM Grand Arena, in Las Vegas.

The two heavyweight superstars will touch gloves in an epic rematch this coming Saturday, with both men desperate to emerge victorious after their initial bout ended in a controversial draw.

After a five-minute stare down between the fighters bubbled over into a shoving match that required intervention from security, Wilder attacked Fury over his very public battles with addiction and bipolar disorder that prompted his 31-month hiatus from the sport and the surrender of his championship belts.

“Don’t he dare say that he got me into big-time boxing,” Wilder screamed at Fury’s suggestion the American was not a commercial attraction until the pair met in December 2018.

“If he does, I’ll slap him!

“Don’t you ever forget that when I found you, you were strung out on coke. You were like a big house, contemplating killing yourself.

“Don’t you ever forget who brought you to big-time boxing. I brought you back, dragged you back, I put food on the table for your family to eat and I’m doing it again for a second time.

“I’m the only one who sells the pay-per-view and tickets. They come to see me!”

[Scroll to 2:10 to see Wilder mock Fury's mental health]

Fury was quick to refute Wilder’s verbal assault, saying: “And that’s the man you take on?

“A man thinking about killing himself?

“You thought you were getting an easy victory, didn’t you?

“Well it didn’t work out; I came back and kicked your a**.”

Fury later proclaimed how confident he was in his ability to outbox Wilder from a technical standpoint and even stated that he could smell the fear coming from the WBC king and his camp.

“Wilder is very nervous, I can see his jumper going in and out from the big heart beat pounding out of his chest,” the ‘Gypsy King’ said.

“He’s terrified. He’s nervous as hell. He doesn’t know what to expect, and he’s getting knocked out.”
Earlier Wednesday, at its monthly meeting, the Nevada State Athletic Commission assigned the officials for the fight. The commission went with some of the most experienced officials in the world.

Kenny Bayless, who has worked numerous high-profile fights, will be the referee. The judges will be Dave Moretti, Glenn Feldman and Steve Weisfeld, all of whom have a wealth of championship experience.