Tyson Fury says he is ready for "war" when he meets WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a rematch in Las Vegas on Saturday, while the hard-hitting American mocked his rival's punching power.
Nothing could separate the fighters over 12 thrilling rounds the first time they met in Los Angeles in 2018, although Britain's Fury twice had to climb off the canvas - the second after seemingly sparked cold by a Wilder right hand in the final round - to clinch a share of the verdict.
Fury, 31, said during a conference call he plans a more aggressive approach for the rematch against the heavy-hitting American.
"Never have I been as ready and focused for one fight as I am for this fight," Fury said. "You're going to see the best Tyson Fury that Tyson Fury can be.
"I'm match fit. I'm ready. I'm confident. I'm injury free. I'm ready for a war, one round or 12."
Fury, the lineal champion, is 29-0 with one drawn and 20 knockouts while Wilder enters 42-0 with one drawn and 41 knockouts.
"If I beat Deontay Wilder, I'll be the best heavyweight of my era, standing alone," Fury said.
Fury backed up prior comments saying he would knock out Wilder in the second round, saying he felt he needed a knockout to keep the outcome from the hands of the judges.
"Won't have to wait long to find out, will we?" Fury said. "We'll see if I'm man enough to back it up.
"My own destiny lies within my own two fists. I'll be letting them fly very aggressively."
Wilder poured scorn on Fury's claims he will finish the fight inside the distance, dismissing his opponent as having "pillows" for fists.
"I can't tell you any rounds where I felt like I was threatened by his power," Wilder said on a conference call.
"He has pillows as fists. That's how soft they were. Maybe my adrenaline was too high to feel anything. Sometimes after a fight you feel sore. But even after the fight I didn't feel anything.
"I took all his punches, the ones he landed, and I walked right through them. So I don't respect none of his power.
"He's just a tall big man that can move around the ring. And that's about it. As far as power, there's none there."
Fury has switched trainers for next week's rematch, bringing in Javan "Sugarhill" Steward in a move he hopes will boost his knockout power.
Wilder, however, is unimpressed by the changes in Fury's corner.
"I don't believe he'll be able to develop (power), no matter what trainer he brings in," Wilder said.
"You just don't develop power in a couple of weeks... it's impossible."
