THEIR first meeting was one of the fights of the decade.
Deontay Wilder holds the WBC belt going into Saturday’s rematch against Tyson Fury – and the pair know each other well from their epic 2018 encounter in Los Angeles.
The pair’s first fight was a draw after 12 gruelling roundsCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Wilder was already celebrating a famous win when he had the Gypsy King down in the 12th round after a stunning power punch combination, only for the Brit to marginally beat the count.
Fury got back to his feet and saw out the final round, resulting in a split-decision draw after a fascinating 36 minutes of heavyweight action.
Wilder demonstrated his power with a massive knockdown in the lastCredit: Reuters
And now it’s time to do it all again, with the winner potentially setting up a unification showdown with Anthony Joshua.
Fury vs Wilder 2 predictions
THE bookies can’t split the two fighters ahead of their rematch in Las Vegas.
This is a difficult fight to call, with a classic mix of styles making it an intriguing and potentially dramatic bout.
Fury defies his 6ft7 frame every time he steps in a ring, possessing unbelievable speed and blessed with a swiftness you’d usually associate with a much smaller man.
But on the other hand, Wilder will be looking to unleash his brutal punching power.
The Bronze Bomber has 41 knockout wins from 43 fights and knows he can hurt Fury – who will remember all too well hitting the canvas in the first fight.
Ahead of the rematch at the MGM Grand, here’s how the boxing world sees the fight panning out – and as you’ll find out, nobody can agree…
Eddie Hearn – Wilder by KO
“I’ve heard a few things in the camp – it might be rubbish but I do think Wilder will win by stoppage.
“I hope he doesn’t and I would love to see Tyson Fury make the fight because one thing is for sure – he will fight Anthony Joshua, he actually wants to and I know AJ wants to fight Tyson Fury.
“It’s a very quick deal to make. Wilder said Joshua is not relevant.
“He owns four belts and is the biggest star of the heavyweight division, so of course he is relevant, but he wants to fight the winner because he can’t call himself the best otherwise.”
Eddie Hearn fears Tyson Fury has had problems during his training campCredit: PA:Press Association
Anthony Joshua – Fury win
“I think Fury wins. I said it. I think the man that nearly done it the first time won’t get it wrong the second time.
“I think that he came close the first time to the point of a draw, it wasn’t like a 12-round masterclass then got battered in the 12th and that just separated it.
“It was a draw, it was that close. So I just think Tyson Fury is going to correct his wrongs and come back and win.”
David Haye – Wilder by KO
“Fury boxed brilliantly first time around, that was with Ben Davison in his corner. He doesn’t have Ben in the corner this time.
“In his last fight, he got a couple of horrendous cuts over his eye. That could open up again, which would mean he’d have the same fight with one eye.
“Trying to beat Deontay Wilder with two eyes is tough enough.
“The fact that I’m hearing he’s putting on additional weight, which may slow his mobility down, his speed and reflexes down, I have to go with Deontay Wilder by stoppage.”
Anthony Joshua is likely set for a mandatory title defence against Kubrat PulevCredit: PA:Press Association
Wladimir Klitschko – Fury on points
“Either Wilder is going to knock out Fury or Fury is going to win on points.
“Personally, I respect Wilder a lot – he was in my training camp, we spent rounds in the ring. He’s a great guy and a fantastic boxer.
“As many knockouts as he has, you’ve probably no one else, in current times, any heavyweights, including me.
“I think, or I wish, that actually Fury, believe it or not, might make it.”
Charles Martin – Wilder by KO
“Fury’s gonna outbox him, he’s gonna do his thing, but Wilder’s gonna hit him with that right hand and it’s probably gonna be lights out.
“He’s been doing it, he’s on a one-punch knockout streak, I’m leaning more to Wilder.
“Look at his track record, the second time he fights them it’s like he’s got them figured out. He’s gonna be like, ‘boom,’ and land that right hand.”
Oleksandr Usyk – Fury win
“I preferred Tyson Fury in the first fight.
“In the second, I will probably be more inclined towards him.
“He has much more skills than Wilder. But Wilder is such an unpredictable guy who can hit at any moment.”
Lennox Lewis – Wilder win
“I think it’s gonna be an unbelievable fight, the boxer against the puncher.
“Some people are gonna go for the power, some people are gonna go for the boxer and I love those type of fights.
“Nobody really knows and it really comes down to the crunch, who makes that vital mistake in the fight? Who doesn’t.
“No predictions. I would have to say, right now, Deontay’s looking good.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
