Saturday’s clash between Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) and Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (27-0, 19 KOs) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California pits Alabama’s homegrown puncher against Britain’s fleet-footed and quick-witted big-man in a fight that should set the winner on a direct course with Anthony Joshua, the division’s biggest ticket seller and highest rated fighter.
While the boxer versus puncher dynamic no doubt adds fuel to the fire of intrigue, the storylines run deeper than sheer styles. Within this assemblage of opinions from writers around the globe you will not only get a detailed overview of the how this fight may play out, but the questions surrounding both men that many of us are antsy to have answered.
Alan Kindred (USA) – TGTN Contibutor/Independent Writer: Fury
If Fury is truly in as good or better form as he was for Klitschko I think the odds are he will win a comfortable decision. It is really hard to beat a guy who is 6’9 who knows how to fight tall and move on his legs as well as Tyson Fury does. We won’t know his true form until fight night though, and reality is he has had a long layoff plagued by mental illness and drug abuse. His comeback fights told us very little, he was still heavy and didn’t seem that serious. He has looked better in recent training film and his weight looks like it might be a career low. He certainly has talked a good game. The truth is it’s a hard call. If Fury is in top form, he has the skills to embarrass Wilder, however if he is not, and has one lapse of focus with his reflexes Wilder can end the fight with one punch. Since I can’t call it a pick’em fight, which is what it really is to me, and I must pick a winner, I will go ahead and believe Fury’s hype, and say he is back ready and focused. Fury UD
Jack Sumner (UK) – TGTN Staff Writer: Wilder
If the fight had taken place after Fury’s dethroning of Klitschko in Dusseldorf three years ago then I would say Fury wins a decision over Wilder comfortably. But, partly due to Tyson’s condition and inactivity since and partly due to the fact that Wilder has looked improved with every fight, I’m less certain of that now.
I can still envision a Fury win by decision as more often than not the boxer beats the puncher, but I have a feeling that with Fury ahead on the cards late in the fight, Wilder will land something big and score a come-from-behind KO.
Wilder by late rounds KO/stoppage.
Erich Edmonds (USA) – TGTN Staff Writer: Fury
On December 1st we will be treated to a battle between two giants with two very different styles. Not only are both Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury giant in stature, but they also possess giant will that matches their size. The question at hand is which fighter can impose their will over the other to be crowned heavyweight king?
In one corner there’s the reigning WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Standing 6ft 7 with a thundering right hand and the record to prove it, at 40-0 with 39 KOs, knocking out every man he’s shared the ring with. While Wilder possesses one punch knockout power he hasn’t been known for his ring IQ and technical ability. Anyone who has seen him fight has bared witness to what is known as “Windmill Wilder”, where he throws long, wild, and wide looping punches that, while dangerous, will make any boxing lover cringe. Wilder’s opposition has also been scrutinized with his most significant win coming over the heavy handed and crafty Cuban, Luis Ortiz. Ortiz showed, using skills honed in the Cuban amateur system, that a technically sound fighter can have success over Wilder. However, as usual, Wilder’s right hand and will prevailed, proving he can turn the fight around at any moment.
In the other corner we have the lineal champion Tyson Fury. Standing 6ft 9 and what he lacks in KO power he more than makes up for in ring IQ and a technical style mixed with a jerky, awkward rhythm that none of his opponents have been able to figure out, earning him a record of 27-0 with 19 KOs. For a fighter of his size Fury is a surprisingly mobile and slick, always light on his feet, frequently making his opponents miss, all while fighting behind a long jab. Fury demonstrated this in his biggest win to date, upsetting the future hall of famer Wladimir Klitschko. However, since upsetting Klitschko, Fury has been plagued with mental and physical hurdles that he has appeared to overcome, the most apparent one being his weight. Fury appears to be in the best shape of his life and could ultimately be bad news for Wilder.
As the saying goes “someone’s 0 has got to go”. Personally I see this fight only having 2 possible outcomes, either a knockout win for Wilder or a decision win for Fury. I think if Wilder is going to have success, he has to have it early and he has to end it early, otherwise he risks Fury figuring him out. If Fury is able to survive the early rounds and get into a rhythm, he can possibly out-box Wilder to a decision, he just has to stay wary of Wilder’s right hand, which could turn the tide of the fight at any moment. While it’s a tough choice to make I think Fury can defy the odds again and win by a split or even unanimous decision.
Phil Rogers (UK) – TGTN Contributor/Southpaw Boxing News: Wilder
What’s fascinating about this fight is how two kings of the blue-ribbon division, both of whom remain undefeated, could have garnered so many accolades and still have so much to prove.
Of a combined 67 bouts only two opponents, Klitschko and Ortiz, have offered either man a test at elite level.
For Fury, major questions surround his physical and mental conditioning following the horrendous pummelling he gave himself in his wilderness years. It’s now exactly 36 months since he became the undisputed champion of the world. Will it all catch up with him on Saturday night? And how can he possibly be sharp enough to operate on this stage after two of the most ludicrous preparatory contests in living memory?
His opponent, Deontay Wilder, remains the most stylistically baffling pugilist on the planet. His feet are a mess, he is bereft of balance, his jab is inefficient, his combinations are a calamity, he is an abysmal inside fighter. And yet that brutal right hand, windmilling its way through opposition defences as it does, consistently wreaks devastation.
So who will have their hand raised in victory? The master boxer or the ferocious slugger? Had Fury’s opposition been remotely serious since his comeback was announced I’d be backing him fairly confidently.
I expect to see the Brit going comfortably ahead on the cards going into the championship rounds. But sooner or later Wilder’s right hand will land and the stoppage will come.
Prediction: Wilder KO in the 10th round.
Zakwaan Shaukat Ali (UK) – TGTN Staff Writer: Wilder
The Curious Case of Tyson Fury.
The former unified (WBO, WBA, IBF) Lineal and Ring Magazine world heavyweight champion did the unexpected when he beat a decade-undefeated Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf Germany.
Since reaching the upper echelons of the sport, he somewhat lost the hunger and desire and became disengaged with boxing overall:
– Nearly 3 years of inactivity
– Blown up to approximately 400lbs+ (fighting weight 240-250lbs)
– Suffered from mental health, quite visibly
– Alcohol and drug abuse, consequently change in his voice
Fast forward 3 years…
He’s back in against an undefeated 40-0 KO artist WBC world heavyweight champion who has probably the most powerful right hand in boxing today.
A matchup of contrasting styles
I am personally picking Wilder via KO, simply because I think Fury would be unprepared to face an active, awkward and agile/mobile fighter like Wilder. He’s had two glorified sparring sessions, which doesn’t really help at all.
Even though he has the superior boxing ability and excellent movement for a 6ft 9 guy… I can’t really see Fury keeping Wilder off, especially when Wilder is the powerful guy here and Fury probably doesn’t have the power to deter Wilder.
I hope the Gypsy King 👑 proves me wrong as I will be rooting for him, and would make for an excellent story if he does upset the odds stacked against him! An upheaval task awaits.
Roy Bennett (CN) – Independent Writer: Wilder
Tyson Fury must have kissed the Irish Blarney Stone when he signed to fight Deontay Wilder because the self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” has talked up a storm in the lead up to one of the most heavily anticipated heavyweight showdowns in years. But he will need more than the gift of the gab to carry him to victory once the bell rings on Saturday night. Fury will be sharing the ring with one of the most destructive punchers in professional boxing, and Wilder’s right hits like an anvil being dropped from great height. Title challengers Luis Ortiz and Artur Szpilka know all too well what it feels like. Both men looked to have Wilder beaten until the right hand brutally ended matters. Any loss of concentration of Fury’s part will prove to be disastrous and while I won’t write him off completely, he’s going to have an uphill battle keeping Wilder off balance with empty feints for twelve rounds. He has to punch with authority to keep Wilder cautious but in doing so he puts himself at even further risk. If he can plant a few seeds of doubt in Wilder’s mind he might shock us all with a repeat sleight of hand performance, as he did with Klitschko, and pull the upset. But it’s a long shot. I fear the more likely scenario is Wilder catching Fury with a big punch in the middle rounds to bring an abrupt and crushing end to the argument.
Eric Duran (USA) – Bite Down Boxing: Fury
I can usually put aside my personal feelings when breaking down who I believe will win a fight.
But the more that Deontay Wilder speaks, the more I cannot help but want to see him laid out in the center of the ring.
I understand the confidence a fighter of his magnitude needs at this level of the sport but Wilder is going overboard. In a recent interview with Radio Rahim, Wilder exploded on him for not agreeing with him or applying that ‘racism’ somehow has a narrative in this fight. His idea that “his” people are still fighting 400 years later has anything to do with the fight Saturday is delusional. “His” people weren’t making 7-8 figures during their fight.
Get over yourself, you aren’t that important, as proven by the reaction of the Alabama Football team when you rambled on about who knows what on ‘All-Access’. It’s all a fake show to try and drive the hype around a fight that doesn’t warrant a $74.99 price tag.
And this actually plays into my beliefs as to why Tyson Fury will be victorious on Saturday night.
Tyson Fury has been here before, on the big stage, in a mega fight. The persona you see from Fury is pure, that’s who he is. He’s drawn Wilder into his world with the over the top antics, trash talk and machismo.
When Fury stands across from Wilder on Saturday night, he’ll be the first to do so at eye level, with exceptional boxing skills and a style Wilder has never faced. He’ll do so with the monkey, weight of the world and his past off of his shoulders.
We’ve seen Wilder in a tough fight against Ortiz but we’ve never seen him frustrated or have to adjust inside the ring. I think both will happen on Saturday night and it will play into Fury winning a close, at times, competitive fight. Fury’s jab move and clinch style will prevail in the end.
Paul Cupitt (AUS) – TGTN Staff Writer: Wilder
This is a really interesting style matchup. I believe the Fury who beat Klitschko would beat Wilder every day of the week but now I think the fight is Wilder’s to lose. If Wilder loses his composure and goes after Fury he’ll play right into the former champion’s hands and he’ll be thoroughly outboxed. Fury is the better boxer of the two men but Wilder has the equaliser and he can land it if he can draw Fury into an exchange and he’ll do that by being patient. I think it will be a slow, tactical fight with both men being cautious but I’m favouring Wilder. Even if Fury has gotten into his head with his mind games I don’t think the Gypsy King has recovered physically from his layoff and I’m not sure he’s in condition for a hard 12-round fight. Wilder by knock out in the mid-late rounds.
John Einreinhofer (USA) – TGTN Co-Host/Staff Writer: Wilder
Odds makers have this fight close to even money, with Wilder just a slight favorite, so it’s good to have a big fight, and especially a big heavyweight fight, with actual doubt and difference of opinion as to who is going to win. Tyson Fury was the last man to win the title in the ring when he got a decision against Wladimir Klitschko. Following the win Fury had PED issues and out of the ring problems sidelining him. But he’s now back actively campaigning and remains undefeated. In the meantime, Deontay Wilder clearly established himself as no worse than the No. 2 heavyweight in the world behind Anthony Joshua, including big wins in the first Bermane Stiverne fight and in a thrilling KO over Luis Ortiz. However, the lineal title void was not filled while Fury was away. Therefore, considering Fury’s undefeated record and being the last man to win the title in the ring, and Wilder’s standing in the division, there is a strong case this fight is rightfully for the true heavyweight championship of the world. So, boxing history is on the line, as well as the fact that the fight is the first big fight in the U.S. involving an American heavyweight for a long time and the fighters are taking a shot at establishing themselves as pay-per-view attractions.
This puts additional pressure on both men, but especially on Wilder. Predicting the pay-per-view buys for this one and seeing how many buys are generated provides added interest, because it affects the future of boxing as well as these two fighters. While I think Fury may have lost something during the last three years, I’m going to evaluate the fight as if he had not, as Wilder’s trainers might, because I think Wilder would beat that version of Fury and that might be the best Fury can give in a big fight where he really thinks someone can hurt him.
Despite getting the win over Klitschko, that version of Fury was offensively deficient, only the fact that Klitschko was at the end of the line and overly timid was Fury able to gain the decision. Wilder is not timid, when you hear other fighters talk about him, even the Eastern Europeans like Klitschko himself and Gassiev, they talk about how they value Wilder highly and especially his aggression. I think Wilder will look to get after Fury but Fury’s size, speed, and his ability to take a southpaw stance could have Wilder starting slow, similar to the Ortiz fight. But Wilder’s speed and the boxing ability and stamina he showed in the first fight against Stiverne and Ortiz are underrated. A big key is Wilder weighing 220 or under, where he is much better, and he’ll be quicker than Fury. I think Wilder will find his range more as the fight goes on and begin to land more on Fury and find ways to get his jab involved. I think Fury’s offense will be very limited and will shrivel more as the fight gets later and Wilder starts to land more and more. I think Wilder will then start to land bigger power shots and Fury won’t be offering much back and Wilder will end the fight around the ninth round. I didn’t like the look Fury’s reactions to the one or two big power shots Wladimir Klitschko did try to get to him with late in their fight, as little as it was. My pick is Wilder by KO, but I don’t think a Wilder decision is out of the realm of possibility.
Michael Atkins (USA) – TGTN Staff Writer: Wilder
On paper, Wilder/Fury stands a great chance of not being a good fight, in the classical sense—but it virtually promises to be grand drama from start to finish; boxing’s “War of the Gargantua’s,” the sports very own Toho Studios classic. Part carnival sideshow act, part Japanese giant monster extravaganza. But in between all that, the two Giant Men will box each other and one will win. The theatrics surrounding the promotion, and some sentimental feelings toward Fury for his mercifully ending the “Age of Klitshcko’s,” have been obscured for a bit during the build-up, the overwhelming likelihood that the one winner will be Deontay Wilder.
It isn’t like Tyson Fury doesn’t have a chance, he does, or at least he would have three years ago. It’s also possible that Fury could regain most of that form by Saturday night. My feeling is though, that it won’t matter if he does. I see Wilder as a tougher assignment for him than Klitschko was because, while Wlad seemed determined not to punch until a perfect opening occurred and was thus frozen into virtual suspended animation by Fury’s awkwardly effective feinting, Wilder will fall for some of that but it won’t stop him from letting the bombs fly. I’m not sold on Fury’s chin. Steve Cunningham, never mistaken for a puncher, even at cruiserweight, dropped Fury hard and almost stopped him. It wasn’t just that Fury got rocked either, it was how hurt he was, and how wobbled he continued to get virtually every time Cunningham landed a clean blow. What Steve Cunningham can dent, Deontay Wilder can shatter. I think that the key to the fight, contrary to conventional wisdom, is really whether or not Fury can hurt Wilder. The “Gypsy King” is a surprisingly dainty and elegant boxer for a guy his size, but, also for a guy his size, not much of a puncher. He doesn’t have to decimate Wilder, but he has to instill in him a bit of caution if he wants Wilder to respect his feinting—if he is to have a prayer of winning. He has to show him some reason to be careful.
I don’t see that happening though. I see Wilder, the Max Baer of our time (big, awful balance, crude technique, wild swinger, atom bomb for a right hand) maybe losing a few rounds but the second he lands that right hand, it’s over. Maybe Fury goes down and gets up a few times—shades of Baer/Carnera—or maybe he goes down once. I expect a clumsy fight with lots of holding/wrestling, talking and chest pounding—theater–but also a series of Everlast clad, right handed ICBM’s ending the contest in favor of Deontay Wilder in five rounds or less.
Bob Day (UK) – TGTN/Ringnews24 Staff Writer: Wilder
I am really looking forward to this heavyweight clash. I hope the rumours of poor ticket sales prove false and it hits good PPV numbers in the US. The US needs a leading heavyweight and hopefully this fight will enable Deontay Wilder to crossover to a wider audience.
Tyson Fury has to be given credit for pulling his life around, losing a ton of weight and he’s now in fighting shape. But, I can’t ignore the absence and the troubles during that period. He’s had two wins to shake off ring-rust and do the rounds but they weren’t fights that will prepare him for Wilder.
Wilder has his critics and has been brought along slowly but he looks like he is at the top of his game. He’s awkward and unpredictable, he has a good jab, when he decides to use it. His power is his main asset. Fury is, also, unpredictable and the more natural boxer but he’s been dropped by lighter hitting opponents like Steve Cunningham and Neven Pajkic. Both times he was dropped, it was from a right hand. Wilder has an exceptional right hand and after a few scrappy, slow rounds I expect him to connect. I’m not convinced Fury will handle the power and I don’t think he would’ve done in his prime.
Christopher Carlson (USA) – TGTN Writer/Host for Rope-A-Dope Radio: Wilder
Tyson Fury wins the majority of rounds by using awkwardly slick foot and upper body movement matched with an active jab. Fury will land left hooks after setting up the jab along with counter right hands on a reaching Wilder. Wilder’s jab and body attack could pay dividends later in the fight. Down on the scorecards Wilder will finally land that deadly right hand halting Tyson’s momentum. Wilder proceeds to drop and eventually stop Fury late.
Deontay Wilder via late stoppage.
Edward “Revolver” Khabrov (UA) – Independent Writer: Wilder
I’m still undecided on how this one goes. Perhaps, it won’t sound original, but yes – a lot depends, on which Fury we get on fight night and whether he got himself in decent enough shape, after a life marathon he went thru the last couple of years, to be able to get the job done. Style-wise, he has the tools to defuse the Bomb. But how fresh and how much in shape he truly is these days? Will he be fully ready to take risks, when necessary, or will he appear gun shy and determined to rather go the distance and stink out the joint? I’m also convinced, that for all his limitations, Wilder (unlike Klitschko) will be letting his hands go. Even if it will mean a lot of missing. Wilder’s speed, I think, is underrated. His awkwardness can be both a blessing and a sin for him. As well, as for his opponent in a sense, that on one hand, he leaves a lot of holes for you to counter him, but on the other hand his punches often come from unpredictable angles. They might look wide and clumsy from the outside, but some of those, who shared the ring with him confirmed, how fast he actually he punches. Also, Wilder’s footwork aspect is a fascinating factor here. Be interesting to see, whether he’ll be able to move with Fury. He’ll certainly get tested in this department. Though, if Fury will be testing his own faith, playing his version of rope-and-dope – he might make things easier for Wilder.
I can foresee the scenario, where Fury gets to a decent start, looking fine and putting early rounds in the bank, with effective movement, outboxing Wilder from the outside and keeping him off-balanced. He’ll be doing good, until he suddenly doesn’t. Sooner or later, I feel, Fury will make a mistake and will allow Wilder to land a bomb on him. Which will end the night, regardless of whether Fury ends up in horizontal position or he gets stopped on his feet.
The echo is strong in sentiments regarding this fight: Fury outboxes Wilder early but doesn’t see the finish line unless his physical state is surprisingly good. I land on the more positive side regarding the “Gypsy King’s” stamina. My reasoning is that I don’t think Wilder’s footwork, poor balance, or generally loaded punches are good enough to track down a consistent and nuanced boxer-mover. Fury should pile on the feints, set traps, and counter regularly. I reckon his power is good enough to hurt Wilder, too.
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