Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 2: Preview and prediction

The odds are tight between undefeated heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury headed into their rematch. Here’s who has the edge and why.

Saturday, Feb. 22 marks the day that Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury meet to settle old business left over from their 2018 draw. Betting lines started out at even money, but they have shifted ever so slightly in favor of one boxer—Deontay Wilder.

In their first bout, many thought that Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) won despite being knocked down twice by Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs), most notably taking a dramatic 9-count in round 12. The judges scored it a split-draw, and both men are eager to earn victory the second time around.

On Feb. 17, according to The Action Network, Wilder and Fury were even money. Other oddsmakers and sportsbooks have varying numbers, but they’re all close. There’s no overwhelming outlier in this contest, according to those that set the odds for a living.

Wilder and Fury have each taken verbal shots at each other leading up to the fight. They also took physical cracks during their fight-week press conference. Wilder shoved Fury after the two came chest to chest. Fury returned the favor.

During Wilder’s media conference call the week prior, he was critical of Fury’s punching power.

“Like I said before and many quoted me on it, and you can continue, that he has pillow-esque fists,” said Wilder. “That’s how soft they were. Maybe my adrenaline was too high for it to even feel anything.”

Fury returned rhetorical fire during his media call, calling his first bout with Wilder easy.

“I said it was one of my easiest fights to be fair,” said Fury. “Other than the two knockdowns, it was a pretty one-sided fight. I’ve boxed more difficult fights than that before, much more harder than that. Deontay Wilder’s not my toughest opponent. That’s for sure.”

Now, the question is, who to believe? Both boxers are most likely embellishing their animosity out of bravado, but neither is creating much separation with oddsmakers.

Look for lines to shift during Friday’s weigh-in. If Wilder is anywhere in the 220-pound range, he could become the favorite. In their first match, Wilder stunned everyone by coming in at a meager 212 pounds. He was even less on fight night.

If Fury weighs near the 270-mark that he stated he would like to be at, then odds against him should climb. He has a big frame at 6-foot-9, but anybody trying to carry that kind of weight for 12 rounds is going to struggle in most cases.

Regardless of the weigh-in results, FanSided gives Wilder the edge. Since battling Fury, he has shown steady improvement knocking out Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz in impressive fashion.

Fury, on the other hand, has fought subpar opposition in Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin. Schwarz only lasted into the second round, but Wallin gave Fury a scare by opening up a massive cut over his right eye that required nearly 50 stitches to close. If Wallin can push Fury for 12 rounds, then an improved Wilder could be devastating.

Look for Wilder to take Fury out in round 8. Fury is nimble on his feet and a master-class boxer, but he looked diminished in his last outing. The cut against Wallin bothered him, but it was a bad look. Everyone is entitled to an off night, but his recent crude remarks regarding his ideal victory celebration call into question his focus.

All eyes will be on Las Vegas for Wilder vs. Fury 2. The winner instantly becomes the most popular heavyweight in the world for over a decade. To the victor goes the spoils.

Wilder vs. Fury 2 is available on pay-per-view on Saturday, Feb. 22. The PPV broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET.