British boxing star Tyson Fury will put his WBC heavyweight title on the line this weekend when he goes head-to-head for the third time with long-time rival Deontay Wilder.
Their first fight in December 2018 ended in a controversial split draw and although ex-champion Wilder retained the WBC belt many pundits believed Fury should have won despite being knocked down twice, including in the final round. However, in the February 2020 rematch the “Gypsy King” put on a sensational display to send the American to the canvas twice before the bout was stopped in the seventh round. The trilogy clash was originally set for 24 June, but had to be rescheduled after Fury tested positive for Covid-19.
Wilder told TMZ Sports that he’s going to knock out Fury in three rounds. “Leave it up to my trainers, they believe five and under,” Wilder said. “I’m gonna go with three, lesser than three.” In response Fury hit right back: “Ya little b***h. Turn up and fight. Get me knocked out in three rounds ya little p***y. How about that for a message?”
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With Anthony Joshua losing to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk recently, a meeting between the two Britons has been thrown into doubt, the Manchester Evening News said. Joshua will now face Usyk in a rematch in 2022 and should Fury defeat Wilder his next fight would be against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
1. Fight guide: when, where and time
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fury vs. Wilder III will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday 9 October. Because of the time difference - Vegas is eight hours behind the UK - British fight fans should expect to see the bout begin at around 4am on Sunday 10 October.
Tyson Fury vs. Wilder III
What: trilogy bout for the WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
When: Saturday 9 October (Sunday for UK viewers)
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
UK start time: 4am BST on Sunday 10 October (estimated)
The big Vegas fight will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport Box Office. Pay per view (PPV) costs £24.95 in the UK and €29.99 in the Republic of Ireland. PPV customers can watch via BT TV, Sky, Virgin Media or live stream via the BT Sport website or app.
“You’re in denial and you’re getting knocked out. Do yourself a favour and retire from boxing. Your legacy is in bits. Even all your excuses have been destroyed. You’re a weak man. He accused me of everything, his team, trainer, the suit [he wore on the way to the ring], injuries, the Athletic State Commission of Nevada, the ref - if he had come out with one excuse it might have been believable. What it tells me is he is a weak person who I am going to knock spark out on Saturday night.”
Deontay Wilder
“When you know the truth, they say the truth will set you free, I have no pressure, there is nothing to lose, everything to gain. All the pressure is on him. Your legacy only dies when the man dies, when the desire and fire in your heart dies, when that dies so does your legacy, and I am well alive. We have got a lot of things in line, in order, this is what the world needs to know, there is a lot of things I could put out there, but silence is golden.”
Sugarhill Steward, Fury’s trainer
“Tyson Fury being ready is unstoppable. Tyson Fury is very conscious of Deontay Wilder. It’s just being sharp, it’s just staying focused and it’s also just learning. There’s always something to learn in boxing. Tyson is enjoying learning and having fun with it. Trying to be the best, being perfect at what you do, that just makes for a better Tyson Fury. I’m excited for this Saturday.”
Malik Scott, Wilder’s head trainer
“I am a student of boxing, Deontay ruled the division and was using one weapon but sometimes two or three. I’ve watched him in the gym for ten years, sparring guys from different walks of life stylistically, and watched him be creative but when he gets in the fight he’ll use just one or two tools. He got content using one weapon to knock people out - I went into his tool box and made sure we drilled it over and over again. I don’t have him doing choreographed pad work, ducking down to the ground - he is fighting a tall guy. I don’t want my fighter catching punches, I want him to slip punches, parry punches. He’s more dynamic, more open-minded and this is the best Deontay Wilder people are going to see.”
5. Predictions: who will win the fight?
Tim Rickson, British Boxing News: “They say that rematches tend to go the same way throughout history. When Fury said he would knock Wilder out in the second fight, I believed him. Now he says he will do it even quicker than last time, I still believe him - Fury to win within six rounds.”
George Flood, London Evening Standard: “Much could depend on which version of Fury turns up, though it would seem foolish to reverse that aggressive gameplan after he delivered it to perfection last time out - and an extra 20lbs added during training would suggest that will indeed be the way to go. We think Wilder will likely avoid another knockout, but Fury should be canny enough to avoid that explosive right and win comfortably on points.”
Jeremy Herriges, Fansided: “Anything can happen between Fury and Wilder, as seen in their two fights together. They each know what the other brings, and a sharpened Wilder should fare better against Fury the third time around. However, don’t expect Wilder to win. Skills pay the bills, and Fury has the best skills in heavyweight boxing. Wilder will give him a run for the money, but Fury proved he could take Wilder’s best shot. Don’t be surprised if this fight goes the distance. Fury and Wilder might be hesitant to trade because of their past. A boxing match could erupt, and that favours Fury every time. FanSided is picking Fury to win via unanimous decision. Most expect a knockout but expect the unexpected when Fury and Wilder come together.”
Andreas Hale, Sporting News: “Tyson Fury is the complete package. He’s defensively sound, has fantastic footwork and has power in both hands. Wilder only needs one shot but, even then, there’s no guarantee that it’ll put Fury away. Wilder’s pride is on the line and he won’t allow his corner to throw in the towel this time. He’s going to leave it all in the ring and likely come up short by decision. Prediction: Tyson Fury by decision.”
Odds Shark: “In my opinion, the only way there will be a different outcome the third time around is if Wilder storms out of the gate at the start of the fight and lets his hands fly – knock out or be knocked out like we see in UFC fight news. If that were the case, exchanging hands may give the edge to the American as he has devastating power, but Fury may not be dumb enough to stand in the pocket in that situation. Prediction: Tyson Fury via knockout.”
Mike Tyson, heavyweight icon: “You know, Deontay Wilder has nothing to be sad about or nothing to complain about, he’s fought great fights… I just think Tyson Fury has his number.”
Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, IBF and WBO champion: “I don’t think too much about who wins. It will be a good fight. Don’t write Deontay Wilder off since he always has the knockout punch. I am not good at making predictions. The only prediction I give you is that I’ll have a fantastic dinner tonight.”
Anthony Joshua, former WBA, IBF and WBO champion: “I’m not too bothered. Look, because you’ve asked the question, let’s go with Wilder because he seems obsessed, like he really wants it. He seems really focused on the task ahead, so, you know, a focused man is a dangerous man and he’s focused. Wilder might get the decision. Actually, no, it has to be a knockout.”
6. Betting odds
Fury celebrates victory in the rematch against Wilder
(Image credit: Getty Images)
All prices according to Oddschecker as of 7 October
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