20 February 2020, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

Wilder v Fury II Betting Preview: A Battle for Legacy

It’s the rematch the world has been waiting for. On Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the score will finally be settled as Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury go to war in a WBC heavyweight championship showdown for the ages to determine who is the greatest of their generation, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Atop the fabled heavyweight division, there’s unfinished business. After their legendary first battle inside the Staples Center ended in a controversial split-decision draw in December 2018, reigning and defending WBC champion Wilder and lineal kingpin Fury return to the fight capital of the world to resume hostilities.

READ: TOP 10 KO’s OF 2019This time, both prolific pugilists are powered by an added sense of urgency, fuelled by a stoked inner fire to finish the fight – to take the judges out of the equation and leave no doubt as to who is the very best heavyweight on the planet. Both stylistically and in terms of historical significance, Saturday’s blockbuster is the modern-day equivalent of the legendary Rumble in the Jungle back in 1974, when Muhammad Ali famously stopped the unbeaten George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire to reclaim the title.

It’s the most anticipated heavyweight bout since Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson threw down in Tennessee in 2002. This isn’t your typical hype talk. It’s legit. It’s as big as it gets. Two undefeated phenoms going mano-a-mano – in their primes – in a battle for legacy.

BET: WILDER v FURY IIIn one corner, you have Wilder, a knockout artist the likes of which the sweet science has never seen before. A confident American with dynamite in his hands. A six-foot-seven savage with an 83-inch reach who’s ruthlessly carved out a reputation as the most destructive force in heavyweight history. Boasting a beastly, unrivalled 98% knockout ratio, the Bronze Bomber is as much of an executioner as he is a prize-fighter.

READ: TOP 10 KO’s OF 2019In 42 fights, only two men have gone the distance with Wilder – Bermane Stiverne, who he beat to capture the WBC crown in January 2015 at the very arena he’ll return to this weekend, and Fury, the only man to take him to a draw. Wilder viciously knocked out Stiverne in the first round when they ran it back in 2017, leaving the question – will Fury suffer the same fate?

In the other corner, you have Fury, a fleet-footed, towering technician, who has the uncanny ability to dissect opponents in a myriad of ways. A giant of a man standing six-foot-nine, he moves like a light heavyweight and utilises every bit of his 85-inch reach to systematically break down his opponent. Make no mistake, the Gypsy King packs a punch, with 20 of his 29 wins coming by knockout, but it’s his hand speed, footwork, fight IQ, mastery of distance and precision punching that make him a puzzle no-one has been able to solve.More than that, though, Fury is a survivor. He went from the highest of highs – snapping the great Wladimir Klitschko’s 22-fight unbeaten streak in Germany in November 2015 to win the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO, Ring magazine and lineal titles – to the lowest of lows, losing himself in drugs and alcohol, which cost him his titles, boxing license and pushed him to the very brink of taking his own life, nearly driving off a bridge in his Ferrari at 190 miles an hour.

The Brit’s comeback transcends sport and is unlike any in boxing history, just like the fighter he is between the ropes. He’s taken it upon himself to be a champion for mental health awareness, speaking candidly and passionately about his battles with depression and addiction.It’s the same incredible determination it took him to overcome his demons that saw him rise off the canvas after having fallen victim to a crushing combination from Wilder in the 12th round 14 months ago. One of the most unbelievable moments in boxing lore, Fury got back up and took the fight to Wilder to finish the epic encounter on a high note.

It’s these physical gifts and absolute refusal to lose that make them perfect foils, and which make a bout between the two so incredibly intriguing and tough to call.

BET: WILDER v FURY IIOne can look at their exploits since their instant classic to get a better understanding of where things stand this time around. Both behemoths did what was needed to bring the much-anticipated sequel to fruition, securing back-to-back wins in 2019. However, the contrasting manners in which they went about their business will lead many to back the Bronze Bomber.

The Alabama-born brute added two more highlight-reel finishes to his brutal body of work, uncorking a harrowing hammer blow on Dominic Breazeale to claim his 20th first-round finish in May and closing out the year by shattering the legendary chin of Luis Ortiz in November.

READ: TOP 10 KO’s OF 2019It was Wilder’s 10th consecutive defence of his WBC crown, tying him with Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Tommy Burns and Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir as the only heavyweight champions to achieve this remarkable feat. Felling Fury would see him stand alone as the most decorated conqueror of all-time.Fury, meanwhile, made quick work of Tom Schwarz, stopping him in the second round to secure the WBO Inter-Continental championship in June, but was far less commanding against Otto Wallin in September. The Wythenshawe warrior was the better boxer over 12 rounds, but he survived a massive scare after having suffered two gaping gashes in the third round that threatened to end his unbeaten record and ruin a Wilder rematch.

The worse of the two cuts, above his right eye, required 47 stitches to close and while his cut man saved the day then, the eye could be a major factor come Saturday, with Wilder making no bones about his intentions to reopen the wound. If he does, it would take a gargantuan effort for Fury to leave Las Vegas as the victor.

BET: WILDER v FURY IIThere was much to take out of Wilder’s rematch with Ortiz, too, to suggest the weekend’s bout could play out much differently than the first. The contest against King Kong saw Wilder showcase newfound patience. There would be no bum-rush. Instead, a more mature Wilder was content with losing rounds to wait for his opening, and when that opening came in the seventh round, he closed the show in vintage fashion.

READ: TOP 10 KO’s OF 2019Wilder isn’t the only one who could take a different approach in the rematch. Fury has insisted he’ll be more aggressive and vows to knockout his greatest rival inside two rounds. Whether it’s mind games on the part of the Gypsy King remains to be seen.

However, he’s the type of wild man that you can’t dismiss his proclamations entirely, and he made the drastic move of changing head trainers in December, dropping long-time coach Ben Davison for Javan Steward, which seemingly adds weight to his claims. If and I repeat, IF, Fury does land up on the losing side, this major gamble will likely be considered as one of the main reasons why.

BET: WILDER v FURY IIIt’s worth repeating that Wilder’s unprecedented knockout ratio is a major factor whenever he steps inside the ring. One clean shot is usually all he needs, and if you’re set on backing the Bronze Bomber, an early knockout is your best bet. A knockout victory for Fury, while not out of the question, would come as a big surprise. Analytically, the Brit has to fight a perfect fight for the full 12 rounds to get his hand raised, which will also have many betting against him.

Not me, though.

Fury is arguably the most skilful and fleet-footed heavyweight since the late, great Ali. Even though Wilder only needs his sledgehammer, Fury has more tools to win. In the most important fight of your life, surely you go with what brought you to the dance. If Fury does that, stays sharp and on his toes, I believe the lessons he learned regarding Wilder’s rhythm, speed and explosiveness in the first fight will be enough for him to outlast, outpoint and dethrone the defending champion.

BET: WILDER v FURY II

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Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.