World champion Bermane Stiverne has labelled Deontay Wilder a 'clown' ahead of their crunch heavyweight clash this weekend in in Las Vegas.

WBC champion Stiverne (24-1-1 21KOs) puts his title on the against knockout specialist Wilder, who has so far stopped all 32 of his opponents - including Briton Audley Harrison - and has yet to go beyond four rounds.

The winner wil be on course for a potential unification fight with the formidable Wladimir Klitschko - but 36-year-old Haiti-born Stiverne has dismissed Wilder's chances of taking his belt.

"I plan to go in the ring between 238 and 242 pounds. We thought about going lower but I am a super heavyweight and that is the weight where I am best.

"I began training camp in August because we didn't even know when this fight was going to happen so we had to be ready for any time and we did better than ever. It has been a long, long training camp and I am in the best shape I have ever been in.

"Fighting at the MGM Grand is a dream come true.  I have been dreaming of becoming a champion my whole life.  When I think of the MGM I think of all the history and I want to write a new chapter.

"The heavyweight champion is what it's all about. It's the King of the Jungle ... it is the champion of all the champions. I am happy to bring it back. Boxing is alive and well."