Boxing in 2020: Top 3 bouts to jumpstart the new year

1. Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 2, heavyweight title

The 2018 draw between heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury became an instant classic. Fight fans had to wait more than a year, but Wilder vs. Fury 2 is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22 on pay-per-view, which is being co-produced by PBC on FOX and Top Rank on ESPN.

Fury’s performance in their first bout earned him Comeback Fighter of the Year honors from many media outlets, including FanSided. Fury only had two matches under his belt after a three-year layoff when he challenged Wilder for his WBC heavyweight title.

Fury outboxed Wilder for a majority of the fight but hit the canvas twice in rounds 9 and 12. The points lost in those rounds accounted for the split-draw decision. The knockdown in round 12 was devastating, but Fury somehow managed to beat the count. For a few seconds, Fury looked to be unconscious.

While talking about the round 12 knockdown to FanSided several moths ago, Fury said, “I got hit with a good shot, and went down, got back up. No biggy. It is what it is. It’s boxing. People get knocked down and get back up in life all the time.”

Since their first fight, Wilder knocked out Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz to contribute to his 95 percent KO rating.

In that same time frame, Fury has fought twice and registered two wins—one knockout and one decision. His September contest against Otto Wallin was harder than expected. Fury was badly cut over his right eye in round 3. He won the fight by unanimous decision but was fortunate the bout wasn’t stopped due to his massive facial laceration. It took 47 stitches to close his wound.

Anything can happen in the rematch. Can Wilder connect cleanly to Fury’s head again? If he does, can Fury pick himself off the canvas for the third time? Tune in to Wilder vs. Fury 2 on Feb. 22 to find out.