One year and two months since their first fight ended in a controversial split-decision draw, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will once again go head-to-head for the WBC heavyweight title.
It’s a “puncher vs. the boxer” clash between the heavyweight rivals who arrive with unbeaten records.
Big-hitting Wilder, the WBC champion, and technically-gifted Fury, the challenger, have both declared that they are going for the knockout victory at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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American Wilder, 34, knocked his British opponent down twice in the first fight in December 2018 and he believes this will weigh on Fury’s mind this weekend.
“When you get knocked down by someone, you never forget it or how they did it,” said the Bronze Bomber.
“Deep down I feel he’s nervous, very nervous from what happened the first time. When you go in there for a second time it has to be stressful and you definitely can't sleep at night.
“He’s worried and I don’t think his confidence is that high because of the state I left him in before. I gave this man concussion and it will happen again because the head is not meant to be hit, especially by the power of Deontay Wilder, so he has a lot to think about.
“It’s called unfinished business and he won’t be able to get back up. I’m going to knock him out. We both have to come in like we did the first fight, with our hearts on our sleeves and the warrior mentality that we always bring.”
Fury: I’m coming here for the KO
Many pundits and fans believed that Fury deserved the victory in the drawn first fight, but the Gypsy King says he can’t rely on the judges and needs to knock out the champion.
The 31-year-old said: “I’m not coming here for a points decision, I’ve had too many of them - nine of them - I’m coming here for a knockout, I’ve had 21 of them and from the heart that’s what I’m looking to do.
“The first fight I wanted to go in there and outbox him. It didn’t work. No matter what people say, I didn’t win. I count a draw as a loss.
“I’m looking for a knockout. I didn’t come here again to get a bad decision. I know I’m not going to get a decision in the United States.
“I won’t be running. You won’t have to look anywhere for me. Just watch out for the right hands because you’re going to sleep in two rounds.”
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The first fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury ended in a split-decision draw
(Image credit: Harry How/Getty Images)
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 2: fight guide
What: WBC world heavyweight boxing title rematch
When: Saturday 22 February (Sunday for UK viewers)
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
UK start time: 4am GMT on Sunday 23 February (estimated)
Because of the time difference between Vegas and the UK, boxing fans in Britain should expect to watch the fight in the early hours of Sunday morning on 23 February. BT Sport Box Office states a 4am (GMT) UK start time. However, this depends on the undercard bouts and build-up to the headline event.
How to watch Wilder vs. Fury II on TV
The epic rematch will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport Box Office. The pay-per-view costs £24.95.
How to listen on radio
This weekend’s fight will be broadcast live on talkSPORT.
Tale of the tape
Deontay Wilder
Nickname: Bronze Bomber
Nationality: American
Age: 34
Record: 42 fights, 41 KOs, zero losses, 1 draw
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 6′ 7″ (201cm)
Reach: 83″ (211cm)
Tyson Fury
Nickname: Gypsy King
Nationality: British
Age: 31
Record: 29 fights, 20 KOs, zero losses, 1 draw
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 6′ 9″ (206cm)
Reach: 85″ (216cm)
Pundit predictions: who will win the rematch?
Anthony Joshua, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion, via Sky Sports: Fury
“Wilder coming through is better because [a fight with me] is what people have been eagerly anticipating. But I think Fury can win. For Wilder to win he has to knock Fury completely out, and he couldn’t do that the first time. For Fury to win, he can hurt Wilder or out-box him. Fury has more to his arsenal so that’s why I’m leaning to him.”
Lennox Lewis, ex-heavyweight world champion, via Boxing Social: ‘Deontay’s looking good’
“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.”
George Foreman, ex-heavyweight champion, via Bookies.com: Fury on points
“The world will be talking about heavyweight boxing after this match. It’s going to be good for boxing. I love it. I think they’re going to tear the wall down there because that rematch will be seen by a lot of people. Millions will watch it, and it’ll probably be a controversial decision. I pick Tyson Fury to win on points.”
Mike Tyson, ex-heavyweight world champion, via BT Sport: Fury
“I always root for him because he was named after me. That’s the natural thing to do, right? I’m biased towards him… I don’t care how hard you punch, it’s hard to beat somebody who doesn’t wanna quit. It’s gonna be a really, really interesting fight and both guys have something to prove. I just wish the best for Tyson Fury, I’m always a Tyson fan.”
Dillian Whyte, British heavyweight, via talkSPORT
“I think if Fury boxes it’s a 70/30 fight, maybe a 60/40 fight [in his favour]. If he tries to go for the KO, he makes it a 60/40 fight for Deontay Wilder or a 70/30 fight for Deontay Wilder. If he boxes it’s the other way around. Saying that, Wilder is kinda chinny as well. Every time he gets tagged, he gets rocked. So Fury is a big guy and he could stop him. I don’t think that’s a great game plan for Tyson Fury, but I think they’re just saying that to get Wilder to try and box. In boxing a lot of things get said and not a lot of things happen. Let’s see.”
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Jordan Neild, British Boxing News: Wilder by KO
“I think Wilder will win inside the distance. Fury at his best has the tools to beat Deontay Wilder but I think his opportunity was when they met in December 2018. He could well win every second of the fight but I think at some point Wilder lands and takes him out. Fury winning would be monumental for boxing in this country but we are looking at one of the biggest punchers in the history of the sport in Deontay Wilder and I’m not sure he will show Fury the same respect he did the first time around.”
Colin Hart, The Sun: Wilder by KO
“For me, Wilder is the most terrifying of them all. That rigor mortis right hand of his is the most devastating punch I’ve ever seen. When it comes to taking a man out with a single shot the Tuscaloosa time-bomb is in a league of his own. Here’s the $64m question. Has he [Fury] the mental strength to concentrate for every second of the scheduled 36 minutes? I don’t think he can. About round nine or ten I can see Fury being flattened - only this time he will be unable to hear the referee counting to ten over him.”
Ricky Hatton, former welterweight champion, via BT Sport: Fury
“I think Tyson is the best heavyweight in the division, and I think Wilder is the second-best heavyweight in the division. “I thought Tyson won the last one and I think he’ll win this one.”
Steve Bunce, Independent: Fury on points
“Wilder could so easily connect early. Fury’s cut right eyebrow from a September fight might open, the 47 stitches wasted. However, the art of self-defence should triumph inside the MGM ring; there will be scares, hurt, brutality and finesse on a night of noble boxing in this most ignoble of places. Fury on points or by late stoppage in a classic for the old game.”
Wladimir Klitschko, who lost to Fury in 2015, via The National
“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. I think, or I wish, that actually Fury, believe it or not, might make it. Maybe not, but I wish he’s going to.”
Ewan Lavender, The Stats Zone: Fury via decision
“Fury outclassed Wilder for the majority of their first clash with that vicious knockdown saving the champion from a decision loss. Fury is expected to be the fittest he has been in years and now he has experienced 12 rounds with Wilder he will be better prepared to avoid his scary knockout power and if he succeeds, he should walk away with a comfortable decision this time around. Winner: Fury via decision.”
Scott Hastings, Odds Shark: Fury via decision
“Gypsy King outstruck the Bronze Bomber in nine of the 12 rounds and Wilder landed just 17% of his punches while Fury landed at a rate of 26%. I think the same things are in play for the rematch. Fury is the better boxer, with tremendous movement but not a lot of power, while Wilder possesses devastatingly powerful hands that can end the fight. Prediction: Tyson Fury via decision.”
Fight Nights: Fury by unanimous decision
“Fury can win all day and win easy. If he stays outside the range of Wilder’s right hand. That being said this fight is still a 50-50 fight because it’s one punch away from being over. Fury outclassed Wilder for the majority of their first fight. Fury is expected to be in the best shape of his life. Fury should be better prepared to avoid Wilder’s scary knockout power. We believe that Fury will win the fight by a UD [unanimous decision] over 12 rounds.”
Conor McGregor, UFC star, via BT Sport: Fury
“He’s got a good tough fight, Deontay is a powerful guy. But I think if he keeps his mind strong and keeps his playfulness in there and his sharpness and his elusiveness, I think he can do the job.”
Frank Warren, promoter, via British Boxing News: Fury
“I actually do think Tyson will stop him but, having said that, I don’t see Wilder doing anything differently than he did in the first fight, albeit he is a dangerous sod. I see Tyson comprehensively out-boxing him this time around before either stopping him or winning on points by a wide margin.”
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