Staff Picks: Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury + Fight Preview
This high stakes heavyweight showdown is nearly upon us. A fight with contrasting styles which has invited contrasting opinions from around the world. A quick blowout or a 12 round masterclass? A bore fest or an epic?
A Whole Lot to Lose but How Much to Gain?
Some proclaimed that it wouldn’t happen and more say that it’s too soon, but when Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury step into the Staples Center this Saturday, they and those around them will be carrying differing but still very grave burdens on their broad shoulders.
Deontay Wilder is effectively rolling the dice with his future from both a boxing and business perspective. Entering his physical prime yet still lacking the notoriety befitting of a man who calls himself the baddest man on the planet, he has sought out a dance partner both giant in size and personality in order to give him a launchpad towards heavyweight supremacy. Fury’s well publicised lay off and troubles is something cynics feel Wilder is exploiting when pursuing this fight owing to two nondescript comeback fights where the challenger failed to dazzle. However the in-ring traits that the self-professed lineal champion possesses, ones uncommon for heavyweight boxers of this and several other generations, could very easily make this a night to forget for the Bronze Bomber. The thought of Fury slipping and jabbing his way to a landslide decision victory as the Los Angeles crowd jeer must be something which has crossed Wilder’s mind several times during the build up. And even in victory, owing to factors predominantly outside his control (such as what version of Fury he will actually encounter once that opening bell goes), Wilder may still be far away from receiving the credit that he feels he merits as a champion. It is another great case of boxing of “be careful what you wish for”
Many may feel like Tyson Fury has already won. Having suddenly captured the hearts of a nation and beyond with a whirlwind 3 year long tale of personal struggles, drug bans and public redemption, he is plunging himself straight back into the deep end in an audacious attempt to reaffirm himself as the man in the heavyweight division. Fury the human being maybe content just to be in front of the big stage after all that he has endured away from the cameras, however Fury the boxer has always been as prideful as any other man in the fight game. That Fury will understand the magnitude of the challenge which awaits him on Saturday and that Fury will attempt to jump through any hurdle possible to overcome said challenge. Sure, a devastating knockout loss to Wilder could be explained away by inactivity and health, but when speaking in terms of credibility, Fury could be one looping right hand shot away from being relegated amongst the Buster Douglas’s and Hasim Rahman’s of heavyweight one hit wonders, as opposed to the great he professes to be to us all. The burden of potential disappointment also stretches far past Fury – to his inexperienced trainer credited for saving his life and getting him fighting for and his promoter who has clearly exhausted resources into the Gypsy King’s redemption story. Should the worst happen, the finger pointing game will inevitably end up right at the door of those who perhaps prematurely supported and guided Fury to this stage, whereas a victory bolsters the credibility of all involved, as well as affirming the UK’s stronghold on the heavyweight division.
Predictions
Gleb Kuzin: It doesn’t matter how big Tyson Fury is. It doesn’t matter how good of a boxer he believes he is. It doesn’t matter how good of a chin he has. When Deontay Wilder lands on him, he will go down. According to the stats, Tyson Fury doesn’t do good enough to dismantle opponents’ game and the fights stay on the same level of competitiveness from start to finish. It is just enough for Wilder. To land one straight right hand and send Fury straight to the gypsy hell. Don’t blink. Even if you’re falling asleep.
Ryan Guido: Wilder-Fury is a much anticipated heavyweight showdown between two of the best in the division. Wilder continues to show his explosive power in each and every outing, having knocked out every fighter he has ever been in the ring with. Fury has won every fight on his comeback trail, capturing the hearts of boxing fans and the general audience alike with his unfiltered stories personal struggle stories post-Klitschko. Wilder is the quintessential puncher whereas Fury is the quintessential boxer. Fury will be looking to keep his feet moving and out boxing. Wilder on the outside using his dominating stature. Wilder will try to box but in reality will be patiently waiting to land the one devastating blow to end the night. This fight will look a lot like Wilder-Ortiz, where to the audience Ortiz was out boxing Wilder with ease majority of the fight. However just as we expected last time, Wilder will find a home for his bombs and windmill his way to victory. Wilder via KO in the mid to late rounds after being behind on the scorecards.
Justin: I am trying not to buy into the Tyson Fury mythos and I am trying to rely on my impression of him before (and even immediately after) the Klitschko fight. It is not easy. Fury, in my opinion, has elevated his legend more than any other boxer that I can remember without having stepped back in the ring. This is such an dramatic fight because it is a collision of two giant self believing personalities who genuinely are putting it all on the line for legacy. Whoever comes out of this on top will be in a place where doubters and haters need to address their greatness. This drama is killing me and I am stupidly excited for this one. I think this is going to play out with Wilder’s action being more significant than Fury’s. I just don’t see Fury being able to achieve what he did against Wlad while Wilder is letting loose his hands with the power to end it in a second. Basically, I think Wilder’s action will be more dramatic and impressive and will win moments as well as rounds. I also think it is likely Wilder will connect and hurt Fury, maybe not a clean KO but a stoppage. Official pick is Wilder by KO, with Wilder by decision a close second.
Babs Sotande-Peters: You couldn’t get more polar opposites in styles. Wilder sacrifices control by prioritising power and Fury sacrifices power by prioritising control. This ultimately has the makings of a tense and uneventful affair – especially in the early stages, with Fury offsetting Wilder out of the southpaw stance with his jabs, feints and the occasional counters, helping him build up a lead on the scorecards. However, as the fight drags on into the later rounds, the reality of what Fury has had to endure physically to get to this stage after his well publicised lay off will hit. I expect that he will tire just enough to leave that one opening for Wilder to take advantage of and close the show around the 8th or 9th round
Tom_Cody: In order to pick a fight, one must first envision how it will play out. I see this being a distance fight with Fury prioritizing defense and Wilder focusing on offense. Fury will use every inch of the ring and bend every joint in his body, while Wilder will know to keep a steady offensive output even if he misses more than he connects. If this version of the fight plays out, Wilder’s ugly offense will win more rounds than Fury’s slapping counters. Wilder by decision.
Leo: The safe answers the pundits have are Fury by Decision or Wilder by KO. There are a few worthwhile questions to ask about this classic boxer vs puncher matchup: is Fury mentally prepared? has Wilder grown as a fighter? can Fury take the heat? Can Wilder keep a bigger and more mobile man in range? If this was taking place 2–3 years ago, I would be firmly betting on Fury, but that’s a long time to be away from the fight game. Fury was out with mental health issues, no fault to him, but Wilder was in the gym and in the ring getting work done. Props to Fury for overcoming his struggles, truly, but his comeback hasn’t been very awe-inspiring. Deontay will take some rounds to figure out Fury’s rhythm and range where Fury will appear to be back on form and look as good as ever. When Wilder has a gauge for the range and rhythm of Fury’s offense, renewable energy will stagger Fury more than once and send him to the deck in the mid rounds. I don’t think Fury will be counted out; the referee will save Tyson Fury from himself in the mid-late rounds. Wilder, Stoppage.
Final Tally: A 6–0 sweep for Wilder despite the oddsmakers figuring Fury as a very live underdog. Will our predictions come true or will Fury box his way to victory? Tune in on Saturday night to find out.
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