WILDER FURY 2 EXPERT PREDICTIONS

This Saturday, we will witness the highly anticipated rematch between WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In a genuine 50/50 fight, we round up the opinions of boxing experts who give their predictions…

Mike Tyson:
“It’s not easy to hit Tyson Fury, as big he is, he’s very difficult to hit, he’s very illusive. It’s going to be a very interesting fight because both fighters have something to prove. I just wish the best for Tyson Fury, I am going with Tyson.”

Anthony Joshua:
“I think Fury wins, he came so close the first time and it ended in a draw. It wasn’t like it was a 12-round masterclass and got battered in the 12th and that separated it. It was a draw, it was so close. But I think Fury will correct his wrongs and win.”

Evander Holyfield:
“At any given time Deontay can knock you out but Tyson Fury is a clever fighter, he’s a good fighter, he got an awkward style that can make adjustments. At any given time Deontay can get you out with one shot. Tyson Fury gonna take him a lot of shots to get you out, he ain’t gonna get you out with one so I think it’s going to be a little bit more difficult for him. The man that doesn’t make excuses always usually wins.

Conor McGregor:
“He’s got a good tough fight, Deontay is a powerful guy. But I think if he [Tyson Fury] keeps his mind strong and keeps his playfulness in there and his sharpness and his elusiveness, I think he can do the job.”

Shannon Briggs:
“Once Wilder hits you it’s over. Wilder is cracking hard, but he’s also learned patience and that’s gonna make him for a better boxer. Fury just came off a fight where he had a cut this big. How could that thing heal this fast? That was the biggest cut I’ve ever seen without a stoppage. What if Wilder busts it again, then what?”

Triple H:
“It’s tough to predict, every single second of every single round, you are one thunderous right hand away from the fight being done. Tyson Fury can’t drop his guard for a second because if Deontay Wilder gets the right hand in there, it can change everything. My prediction, Tyson Fury by decision.

David Haye:
“It’s the biggest heavyweight fight of our era – like Tyson vs Lennox but with both men in their primes. This time round I think both fighters will come out better. His last fight he got hurt with a couple of horrendous cuts over his eye, that could open up again, which would mean he’d have one eye. Trying to beat Deontay Wilder to two eyes is tough enough let alone one eye with his big looping shots. I’m hearing he’s putting on additional weight to be heavier, which may in turn slow his mobility down, his speed and reflexes down. I have to go with Deontay Wilder by stoppage in this fight.”

Paulie Malignaggi:
“Can he adjust to the jab of Tyson Fury, can he adjust to the movement of Tyson Fury and start to cut off the ring. My guess is he probably won’t and for that reason I predict a similar contest to the first one, with Tyson Fury this time getting the decision.”

Charles Martin:
“He [Fury] just switched trainers, and I don’t think that’s a good thing when you’ve got that chemistry. To leave and be with a new person and learn new tactics and stuff like that within a time frame of a big fight, so that’s one thing that he did wrong. Two, he’s going to out-box him, and do his thing, but Wilder is going to hit him with that right hand, and it’s going to be lights out. He’s been doing it and is on a one-punch knockout streak. So I’m leaning more towards Wilder.”

Eddie Hearn:
“I’ve heard a few things in the camp – it might be rubbish but I do think Wilder will win by stoppage.”

Oleksandr Usyk:
“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:
“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? I would have to say, right now, Deontay’s looking good.”

Frank Warren:
“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.”

Carl Froch (Fought in front of 80,000 at Wembley):
“If he gets caught on the chin, it’s a worry for Fury, but he’s not stupid. Now he’s had a couple of more fights, he’s had more time in the gym to get into even better shape. I just think that the sheer size of Fury. He’s big and heavy. Each time Wilder gets near him, he’s able to hold him off with his long jab, and manhandle him, and keep hold of him. I just think he can get through the fight, land some nice punches, and win the fight. I don’t think he can knock him out,”

Betway Odds:

Wilder 10/11
Fury 19/20
Draw 20/1

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Date – 22nd February 2020
Broadcaster – BT Sport Box Office, ESPN+ PPV & Fox Sports PPV
Promoter – Top Rank Promions 
Venue – MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Photographer – Esther Lin