The fight is finalized between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury for December 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The American, Wilder, is a -170 favorite with the Brit, Fury, coming back at +140.
At -170 for Wilder, these are the lowest odds he’s had, except for opening as a +140 underdog in a potential match with Anthony Joshua (a fight that has yet to come to fruition). The previous low for Wilder was -189 which came in his last bout against Luis Ortiz. Of course, the 40-0 champ won that fight with a 10th-round TKO. Similarly, Fury has been a massive favorite in his last two fights since his return, including a -10000 favorite in his last fight with Francesco Pianeta. Fury moved his record to a perfect 27-0 with his decision win over Pianeta to set the table for Wilder-Fury later this year.
Wilder (-170) claimed the WBC belt in 2015 with his unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne and hasn’t looked back. That decision win was his only victory not by T/KO. The Alabama native has defended the title seven times since, with each defense coming by T/KO including Chris Arreola’s eighth-round retirement. “The Bronze Bomber” is tall and lanky, standing six-foot-seven with an incredible 83-inch reach.
The orthodox fighter has almost a kickboxer sideways stance that seems to cause his opponents trouble and they don’t dare to pressure him as one right hand could leave them staring up at the lights. Additionally, due to his long reach, he keeps a big distance from his foe as he figures out their movements before he goes on the attack. Wilder’s last scrap with Luis Ortiz did come with some question marks, though, as the champ was on the ropes in Round 7 when the fight was nearly ended. He bounced back, however, and scored the 10th-round TKO.
This is a fantastic fight with two elite heavyweights going to battle with the WBC belt on the line. I think Fury is the better overall boxer with his footwork and tremendous ability to make his opponents miss their strikes. But Wilder possesses a right hand that could end the fight instantly if it lands. Don’t expect this fight to be a short one. There should be plenty of sizing each other up in the first half of the fight before the fireworks begin. It all comes down to this: can Fury confuse Wilder to the point that the right hand never lands? If so, I like Fury in this fight.
Prediction: Tyson Fury (+140) via decision. Scott Hastings
