What was originally envisioned as a free third meeting, somewhat due to a contractual obligation, has quickly turned to TV as WBC and Lineal Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury in Saturday's pay-per-view trilogy. Deontay collides with Wilder.
The immediate future of the sport's glamor division was turned upside down by former unified champion Anthony Joshua's loss to Oleksandr Usyk two weeks earlier, who only added to the stakes of a third Fury–Wilder fight, nearly 20 months after Fury made a seventh-round TKO. . in their rematch.
The winner of this unexpected third fight, which takes place inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, could find himself moving forward as the heavyweight face of the record from a commercial standpoint as the power player in the division. The good news for fans is that action is expected, regardless of how it all goes as the two have been vocal about their dislike for each other as Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KO) beat Fury. Tried to avenge the baseless allegations leveled against him. (30-0-1, 21 KO) Back in 2020 to cheat.
Although the 35-year-old Wilder scored a pair of knockdowns during their controversial split draw in 2018, he has lost most of the 19 rounds between the two in the series. However, that hasn't dampened his confidence even after being stopped for the first time in their rematch, when now assistant coach Mark Breland threw in the towel to save Wilder from a one-sided beating.
"It's definitely going to be a war, but I don't think [Fury] is going to be able to stand by me," Wilder told CBS Sports on Thursday. "Even on my worst day, the condition I was in couldn't get me out of there. I ended up fighting on my feet. I had a treacherous trainer throw in the towel after I'd told him many years ago. Don't throw a towel. You don't throw a towel at a warrior, a king like me. You let him fight till the end because I have the equalizer."
The 33-year-old enters as the perfect betting favorite after preparing for a rematch and adding the offensive-based Sugarhill stewards as the new head trainer. This change caused Fury to abandon his cunning and defensive boxing methods from their first meeting, bringing Wilder straight into the fight from the opening bell.
Fury not only exposed Wilder's inability to fight going backwards, he also gained a significant psychological edge by using his size and weight advantage to lean on his wounded foe by standing up to large punctures.
Wilder remains a living underdog not because of his punching prowess, but also because of the positive changes he made during the nearly two-year break between fights. Wilder recalculated the team around him, including new trainers Malik Scott and Don House. He also posted several videos from the training camp, showing his renewed commitment to body punching.
This means whether or not Wilder will be effective remains to be seen. Fury isn't sure that there will be anything new about Wilder that will add to the results.
"You can go to college and get a master's degree in about two years, so for a boxer, it's very easy to do," Fury said during Wednesday's final press conference. "But no matter what Deontay Wilder does, I'm still going to knock him f---out... [in] quick time, in quick fashion. Like my trainer Sugarhill says, we just bang Do it and finish it."
Wilder sticks to his claim that everyone from Fury to the referee, the Nevada Commission, and even members of his own team contributed to the plot to bring him down during their rematch. And even though he blamed the 40-pound dress he wore to the ring that night for weakening him during the fight, he's planning an equally elaborate entrance for Saturday night.
It's a wild juxtaposition to watch. Yet it's clear that Wilder isn't concerned about what his comments have done to his public reputation, which makes even an armchair psychologist realize it's part of the fuel to be his best.
"I have nothing to prove," said Wilder. "I am in a great place, have a great state of mind and always have been. There are so many great people around me who are covering me at the moment. There is nothing to prove. This is redemption right here , vengeance and vengeance; all of the above."
However, Fury sees all of Wilder's quirks as a sign of weakness.
"It just shows you that I've been living rent-free, in Wilder's mind, the whole time, two years," Fury said. "Every time he looks in the mirror, he sees Tyson Fury. Every time he goes to bed before closing his eyes at night, he sees 'Gypsy King.'" And when he wakes up in the morning and thinks about it, he thinks of Tyson Fury. It must be obsessive for a man like me, such a part of his life. It's just crazy."
As it pertains to handicap how the third fight will play out, the good news for Wilder is that the same equation at play has always been there throughout his career.
"My favorite quote is that these guys have to be perfect for 12 rounds. I only have to be perfect for two seconds," Wilder said. "I'm one of the most dangerous - if not the most dangerous - fighters with my knockout power in the sport of boxing history and it doesn't diminish. It goes from first [round] to 12th and that's what makes me very dangerous Is."
The undercard at the PPV level is as deep as the level of interest in each bout and in each heavyweight division. Cuban Frank Sánchez will take on Efe Ajagba in the co-main event amid a pair of rising prospects. Adam Kowanecki looks to take his revenge on Robert Helenius after a shocking upset knockout from Helenius in March 2020. And top American prospect Jared "Big Baby" Anderson takes on veteran Vladimir Tereshkin to kick things off.
But you don't need to know about this weekend. Another heavy hitter returns to the ring in the prelims when Edgar Berlanga enters the super middleweight showdown with Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Berlanga set an all-time record for starting his career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts. That streak ended in April when he earned a decision against Daymond Nicholson, but he looks to resume that streak on Saturday night.
Let's take a closer look at the fight card and odds before making a prediction about the main event.
Fury vs. Wilder 3 fight card, odds
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
- Tyson Fury (c) -270 vs. Deontay Wilder +220, WBC heavyweight championship
- Frank Sanchez -180 vs. Efe Ajagba +155, heavyweights
- Adam Kownacki -220 vs. Robert Helenius +180, heavyweights
- Jared Anderson -1500 vs. Vladimir Tereshkin +800, heavyweights
Prediction
It has everything it takes to be a firefighter as long as it lasts. Although Fury's outlandish intentions were questioned ahead of their 2020 rematch, when he boldly announced that he was going for the knockouts, his prediction proved gospel given his performance, which included a shellshock from Wilder. A marked lack of resistance was involved.
Fury has predicted another early stoppage and there is plenty of reason to believe both that it is possible and that it is their best strategy. Although everyone from critics to Fury should hope for a better wielder with nothing to lose, as he enters his final shot of redemption, a bully stands up for the best way he can.
It goes without saying that Fury will need to deftly balance his aggression without the extent of being reckless. One mistake could be too much against this dangerous enemy. Yet Fury's unique combination of size, speed and elusiveness should be enough to make it happen.
Whatever Wilder has left, it will be the most dangerous early.
Unlike his title reign, which often came up against smaller foes who weren't even remotely skilled as Fury, Wilder often relied on waiting for his opponents to use his larger power to finish the fight. For the opening angle is enough to make a significant mistake. Wilder doesn't have that luxury against this version of Fury and will need to channel the aggression shown in his 2017 rematch with Barman Stiverne in order to inevitably break up in hopes of making a shootout.
Don't be surprised if Fury cuts your way to victory or even knocks on your road in this third fight. Be ready to rise again - before using your moves and techniques to finish the job in the most violent and exciting chapter of your rivalry.