Deontay Wilder confirms Tyson Fury fight is 'definitely going to happen' after positive talks over December showdown

Deontay Wilder has confirmed that he is preparing to fight Tyson Fury in Las Vegas in December.

The American WBC world heavyweight champion insists that a deal is imminent even though Manchester’s Fury has so far had only one comeback fight following a two-and-half year lay-off.

The move would trump plans by London’s four-belt world title holder Anthony Joshua to lure Wilder to Wembley for a title unification clash next April.

Wilder, 32, told The Ring Magazine: “I believe 100 percent that this fight is going to happen and it’s going to get done.

“We’re very, very close. Very, very close. Closer than Joshua and me could ever get in a lifetime. It’s definitely going to happen, there’s no doubt. There’s just a little more work to be done.

“Me and Fury, we talked with each other back and forth; I think he’s a great guy, we have a relationship together, and my team has a relationship with his team.

“This is going to be better than Joshua when it all boils down to it. And we know Tyson Fury, in many eyes, is still the champ, He’s still undefeated. He’s still the lineal champion. Once I knock him off, I become that man who beat the man.”

Undefeated former WBA and IBF champion Fury made a surprise announcement on Monday that he and promoter Frank Warren have been in negotiations to take on unbeaten Wilder in the USA.

It would follow his next comeback fight against Francesco Pianeta in Belfast on August 18.

Fury relinquished his two belts in 2016 after battling depression and drug problems.

Joshua defends his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles against Russian Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on September 22.