It’s hard to recall the last time the Heavyweight division in boxing had this much attention on it. There was a time when most common folks knew who the Heavyweight champion of the world was and they were considered, arguably, the biggest name in sports.
In recent years, boxing has yearned to revitalize the most popular division in boxing, but no stars have emerged until recently.
This Saturday, December 1, 2018, live from The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, the reigning WBC Heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, takes on the former unified champion and Lineal Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.
The match pits two of the top fighters head to head in what many consider a very intriguing contest. Wilder, with his daunting knockout power and Fury’s boxing ability that has never been seen before in the division by a fighter of his size and dexterity.
The fight will be shown live on Showtime PPV starting at 9:00 pm, EST / 6:00 pm, PST.
Read on to see how the RBRBoxing staff sees this fight playing out and let us know how you feel about Wilder vs. Fury.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury
Esther Lin/Showtime
Andrew Kang, Contributing Writer
The much-anticipated Heavyweight title showdown is finally here pitting two unbeaten champions–one the reigning WBC titleholder in Deontay Wilder and the Lineal champion in Tyson Fury.
The two most boisterous, colorful characters in the division and perhaps in the entire sport of boxing. You have the powerful puncher in Wilder and the very unorthodox, but effective boxer in Fury.
I just love the contrast in styles. Like most fans, I see this fight going one of two ways. If Wilder asserts his dominance early and can hurt Fury with his vaunted right cross from the get-go, he will win by knockout.
If Fury, on the other hand, can utilize good lateral movement throughout the fight and pepper Wilder with quick lead combinations coming from all angles, Fury could pull off the minor upset and win comfortably by decision.
I see the bigger Fury moving well, pushing and leaning into Wilder in the clinches, in the beginning, frustrating him. In fact, I think Wilder will be very tight and be thoroughly outclassed in an uneventful first few rounds. He will be overanxious, while Fury will be much more relaxed and begin to open up on Wilder, again grabbing and holding whenever Wilder tries to mount an attack.
Fury may start to build a comfortable lead but then, at some point in the middle-to-later rounds, Wilder will catch Fury with some big shots. If Fury can weather the ensuing onslaught and hold on, the fight is his. If he cannot, Wilder will come from behind and score the most significant victory of his career.
My guess is Fury, although he has proven to be durable and very adept at escaping trouble, will not be able to withstand too many of Wilder’s power shots once he’s hurt. I am leaning towards Deontay Wilder by KO or decision.
Prediction: Wilder
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
This fight is an intriguing clash of giants, Tyson Fury 6’9″ and Deontay Wilder 6’6″ with polar opposite styles. Fury is surprisingly lithe for his enormous size, possesses decent hand speed and an excellent boxing IQ.
Wilder, on the other hand, brings power and rage while appearing undisciplined in the traditional world-class approach of the sweet science.
Much has been said about Fury’s upset of longtime champ Wladimir Klitschko, however, I don’t believe it is a major factor in this fight. Klitschko appeared confused and more significantly, tentative against the erratic style of The Gypsy King.
Wilder will not be as cautious, though is underrated as a boxer when so inclined as evidenced by his first fight with Bermane Stiverne. His exciting fight with former Heavyweight boogeyman Luis “King Kong” Ortiz showed that while appearing vulnerable, gives no fucks, will dig deep and will take chances, going out on his shield if it happens and to this point, it has worked.
Expect the first couple of rounds to be somewhat anti-climatic as Fury feints and postures while Wilder watches and has pockets of aggression.
This will change before the mid rounds and Wilder will start throwing wide power shots, thinking he has Fury figured out and can take him out. He is mistaken and surprised with his resourcefulness, but Fury runs out of tricks in Round 9 and craters Fury in a manner that makes Steve Cunningham smile.
Prediction: Wilder
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Fury
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
On paper, Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury is a good fight. Both men possess distinct, individual attributes that define their boxing style, and because their style vastly contrasts the other; is the reason why this fight is so appealing. To further add to the appealing factor, both men seem to really want to expose the best of their abilities against each other, especially due to the trash talk that has been brewing this fight for a while now.
It is always a little difficult to predict the outcome of a Heavyweight clash because anyone’s punch has the potential to deliver a knockout. When a man is getting hit with a 200 plus pound fist, power becomes almost irrelevant, and this factor happens to be obscuring somewhere in the midsts of this prediction. However, taking into consideration certain things I’ve noticed in each mans demeanor and boxing ability, my prediction is being somewhat stifled because my mind seems to be going in two different directions at once. On one end, I’m being pulled by the unpredictability of a man’s determination, and on the other, I’m being pulled by a man’s raw athleticism that has catapulted him to a successful career.
If I was to honor my emotional reasoning, I would favor Tyson Fury to emerge victorious this Saturday night. Throughout their press-tour, and words they’ve exchanged during interview confrontations, Tyson seems to be getting the best out of Wilder; always managing to get under his skin. I’ll be bold enough to bestow Fury a victory win on the psychological warfare they’ve both engaged in so far. Tyson seems to be very level-headed and seems to understand what he’s up against in Deontay, thus the reason for winning the psychological warfare. And Wilder isn’t good at disguising his concerns, or worries, during the brief moments which Fury has commentated on Wilder’s skill level, and opposition. Wilder stays quiet, or smiles in subconscious consent, accepting that a man like Fury, is, in fact, seeing through the illusions he (Wilder) has sold the crowd on. At least this is what it seems like. And the reason why I think if Wilder steps into the ring with Fury’s comments in his mind—well, they might just cost him the fight.
Now, if I was to honor my rationale, I definitely see Wilder successfully defending his titles this Saturday. Despite their confrontations leading up to this fight, Wilder seems to become more and more confident each time they’ve met, almost to the point that by the time he steps foot inside the ring, Fury’s trash-talk will cease to exist. Wilder is confident in his punching power, in his agility, his athleticism, and most of all, the fact that he was able to beat Luis Ortiz after being hurt. I believe (pragmatic or not), that Wilder’s fight against “King Kong,” elevated his confidence against any man currently residing in the heavyweight division. And this fight against Fury motivates Wilder to win because he knows that this victory will cement his legacy and will take him one step closer to becoming the best heavyweight of the era.
Both men seem really confident in their ability, and believe that they will emerge successfully this Saturday night. They didn’t get to this stage in their career on mere luck. If Fury establishes proper distance with an authoritative jab and sticks to a boxing strategy, he has a chance to win by unanimous decision—assuming that there isn’t any favoritism by the judges. But he has to fight smart, like if every round was the first round. He can’t risk getting sloppy because if a natural cruiserweight like Steve Cunningham was able to drop him, Wilder has a huge probability to knock him out. With that being said, Wilder has to use his athleticism and stepping side to side in order to cut the ring off and be able to land his wild haymakers from all sort of awkward angles if he wants to solidify a win. Both men have the ability to emerge victoriously, and their victory will depend on either taking calculated risks or patiently sticking to their strategy, fighting a smart man’s fight. If I have to choose a winner, ill honor my rational approach and go based off of probability and brute facts; Wilder by possible knockout. I have a feeling Fury will be surprised upon feeling Deontay’s power and will probably retreat and be hesitant to exchange…I also wouldn’t be surprised, if Fury even manages to drop or POSSIBLY knock Wilder. Wilder has shown susceptibility to getting hurt…again these are Heavyweights fighting and anyone’s punch can determine the outcome of the fight. Regardless of who wins though, the stage is set to deliver fireworks, and I can only hope that the show meets expectations.
Prediction: Wilder
Brianna Rodriguez, Videographer/Reporter
Prediction: Wilder
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
I know about Tyson Fury holding all of the other Heavyweight belts before his fall. I know about his boxing skills, his movement and will to win. I’m aware he can switch stances and possibly buy himself the time southpaw Luis Ortiz did early in Deontay Wilder’s last title defense. I recall Wilder’s swollen left eye after his bout with Johann Duhaupas. I watched Wilder stall out through the first few rounds against Gerald Washington. I get it that a severely dehydrated Bermane Stiverne actually went the distance with Wilder. I also believe Fury’s resolve, and that everything he’s overcome to make it to the weigh-in, could enable him to endure Wilder’s power. I respect Fury’s craft and the fact that he’s standing here at this point in his life.
On Saturday night Fury’s first objective is to give Wilder looks that keep the champion in an information-gathering mode for a minimum of two rounds. Whether it’s a busy and accurate jab, his signature choppy body movement or his excellent footwork Fury must have a great start against an opponent who will be looking to land the shot heard around the world. Just like college football’s Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs this weekend Wilder badly needs style points for the business that potentially lies beyond this bout.
If Fury successfully makes his way through a few rounds and establishes a rhythm perhaps we could see a desperate Wilder. And that’s when the action could get dramatically better.
Tyson’s experience might get him into the mid-rounds – possibly with an edge on the cards. Being that this is Wilder, who knows how the right hand eventually gets delivered, but I’m really struggling to believe that – after a pair of meaningless comeback bouts versus Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta – Fury can remain sharp for 10-11 rounds against the Bronze Bomber. If he does, he very likely could get his hand raised in what looked to be an inconceivable upset. I don’t have Lee Corso’s headgear but in the end the tide rolls.
Prediction: Wilder
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Much has been made of Deontay Wilder’s power coming into the fight, and rightfully so. It’s hard to argue against it when he has knocked out 39 of 40 opponents. For as much praise as Wilder gets for his power, he receives an equal amount of criticism for his lack of overall boxing skill.
I believe this fight will be fought at a distance with both men reluctant to engage. In all of Wilder’s previous bouts, his opponents had to work to get inside just to be able to try and land a punch. This will not be the case come Saturday night as Tyson Fury holds a two-inch height and reach advantage.
I believe the size and movement of Fury will frustrate Wilder into focusing on trying to land one big punch. Fury will be able to land his jab more effectively than Wilder to win the majority of rounds.
I don’t think this will be a highly-entertaining bout, but those watching will be in suspense questioning, “Can Wilder land a right hand to change the outcome of a fight before the final bell?”
Prediction: Fury
Peter Nieves, Senior Writer
This fight is truly fascinating. Deontay Wilder can stop any fight at any point with that lethal right hand of his, doesn’t matter who’s in front of him. Tyson Fury, on the other hand, brings unique qualities that the Heavyweight division has simply never seen before, ever.
In the past, I’ve always leaned towards favoring the superior boxer, but with Fury’s past, it’s a bit more complicated in this matchup. Fury’s comeback to boxing is nothing short of impressive. Having battled mental health, addiction, and weight problems, Fury should be an overwhelming underdog in this fight, but Vegas has the odds relatively close.
Both fighters are fighting to prove their critics wrong. Wilder has been religiously chastised for his traditional boxing skills or lack thereof. Fury’s critics have said that he’s lost his elite level standing in the division and since ballooning up in weight, who knows if he can even hang with top opposition anymore. I like the fact that both fighters have been in situations that have tested their mental fortitude at the highest level.
My guess is that Wilder will look to land that vicious right hand, despite all the talk that he will prove many doubters wrong in this fight with his boxing. I believe if Wilder can’t close the show in the first half of the fight, he’ll find himself frustrated by peppered jabs and movement from Fury.
Fury will likely make it a less than thrilling fight, but expect him to throw curveballs like switching to southpaw at times and that may rattle the Alabama native. I’ll take my chances with The Gypsy King and say he takes it via UD.
Prediction: Fury
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
After this fight I just want to hear Tyson Fury give his rating of how hard the “Alabama Slamma” hits. All jokes aside, I think Deontay Wilder needs to be a lot more active than he was in the early going against Luis Ortiz.
Ortiz was successfully outboxing the WBC champ, but then Wilder did what Wilder does–he landed a bomb. Like any opponent that Wilder has faced and will take on in the future, it’s always just a question of can you avoid that sledgehammer right hand for 12 rounds. And if Wilder hits you, can you take it?
I don’t think Fury, or anyone else for that matter, can take flush shots from Wilder, but I do think The Gypsy King is crafty (and ugly when he needs to be) enough to earn a points win. Fury isn’t too far removed from depression and a massive weight gain, so we have to see how his fitness looks heading into the mid-to-late rounds with a guy that isn’t there just to watch him.
All in all I think it will be a tactical, sometimes boring fight–one that Fury will win by decision.
Prediction: Fury
