Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder: Rivals donate tickets to California wildfires firefighters ahead of world title fight

The much-anticipated clash comes against the backdrop of devastating wildfires in the region that have claimed the lives of 88 people and left thousands homeless

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder put their differences aside to unite and donate tickets to this weekend's crunch world heavyweight title clash to a group of California firefighters.

The pair face off in Los Angeles on Saturday night with the American's WBC strap and a pair of unbeaten records on the line.

The much-anticipated fight comes against the backdrop of devastating wildfires in the region that have claimed the lives of 88 people and left thousands homeless.

"These guys have risked their lives each and every day. I risk my life in the ring so it’s a connection to do that, a bond," Wilder said as he posed at a local fire station.

"Thank you guys for having me, I appreciate it," Fury added. "You should be proud of all your work lately."

Fury has been training at the LA's famed Wild Card Gym, since coming down the hill from Big Bear, California, with his four weeks opening his eyes to a problem he feels capable of helping with once he heads back home next week.

“It has opened my eyes to so many different cultures and things happening,” he said. “There are a lot of people on the streets here, more than I have ever seen in my life. I stayed in Downtown LA but if you go just five minutes away there are thousands of people homeless.

“You could think you were in a third-world country, it's a crisis situation and something needs to be done about it.

“I know I am just an outsider with an opinion on it and it is a situation happening all over the world, especially in the UK and in the US.

“When I get home I am going to build some homes for the homeless and setup some funds for drug addicts and alcoholics. I was always going to do it and being here has just given me that extra push to do it.”

Fury presented tickets to a group of LA firefighters (Action Images via Reuters)

Fury insists he has been heartily welcomed into LA life. Alabama native Wilder, the Brit claims, is still not known on the streets of his own country despite a lofty position at the heavyweight top table.

“The awareness here about me has been staggering,” said Fury of LA. “A lot of people have been coming up and saying 'I hope you have a good fight, champ'.

“A lot of people just come up and talk to me about different things. I believe more people in Los Angeles know me ahead of Deontay Wilder.

Wilder made a similar gesture at a separate fire station (Action Images via Reuters) (Reuters)

“He hasn't done anything wrong but I don't think his promoters have pushed him as much as they could have.

“He's 40-0 with 39 KOs and everyone in America should know the heavyweight champion of the world.

“He's charismatic, colourful and dresses well and is a knock-out artist,why is he not a superstar in this country? I don't know.”