Third Wilder-Fury bout a step toward clearing heavyweight title picture
The heavyweight division recently underwent a seismic shift, and Deontay Wilder wants additional restructuring.
On the heels of Oleksandr Usyk’s stunning decision over Anthony Joshua to win three heavyweight belts Sept. 25, Wilder seeks to recapture his title Saturday night in Las Vegas. The former World Boxing Council titleholder will face champion Tyson Fury in their third championship bout at T-Mobile Arena (9 p.m., pay-per-view).
“You’re looking at a rejuvenated Deontay Wilder, reinvented Deontay Wilder,” Wilder said. “It’s something I can’t explain to you but will show you come [Saturday].”
The original date for the third bout was moved from July 24 after Fury tested positive for COVID-19. Neither fighter has stepped into a ring since Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) dethroned Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in their second match Feb. 22, 2020.
“The delay was a blessing for me,” Wilder said. “The more they delayed it the more time we had to work on our craft and art. This is the longest I’ve been out of the ring, especially when I’m anxious to get in the ring.”
Wilder enjoyed a five-year run as champion and became one of the best finishers in the division’s history. Wilder knocked out nine challengers.
Outboxed for most of the bout, Wilder scored two knockdowns against Fury and salvaged a split draw in their first bout Dec. 1, 2018.
Knockout reputation, however, didn’t help Wilder in the rematch. Fury not only outboxed Wilder again but imposed his will, scoring knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds. With his fighter continuing to absorb punishment, Wilder’s former trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel, ending the bout in the seventh round.
Wilder questioned Breland’s decision to stop the fight. The fallout resulted in a change of trainers as Wilder replaced Breland with Malik Scott, a former heavyweight contender and Wilder opponent. Before he became champion, Wilder knocked out Scott in one round seven years ago.
“Sometimes you need certain events to happen in life to bring about a change in things,” Wilder said. “To bring about a change, whether it’s getting rid of people in your life or whether it’s changing the regiments of training inside the camp or anything that feels a need for change. I’m in a happy state.”
After his title-winning performance, Fury angled for a unification bout against Joshua. The match between the British champions was targeted for a soccer stadium in England.
But Wilder capitalized on the immediate rematch clause in the contract of the second fight. Meanwhile, Joshua opted for the defense against Usyk.
“So Deontay Wilder’s problem is he couldn’t accept defeat,” Fury said. “It must be hard. The Lord knows I don’t know what it’s like because I’ve never had to experience it, but I’d say it’d be hard.”
Now the Fury-Joshua fight has lost its appeal. And, if they fight, billing it as an event between two former champions will be more to Wilder’s preference.
“I can say so many things here, but my actions are going to speak louder than my words can,” Wilder said. “I tell all my fans, don’t blink.”
Even if the match with Joshua no longer comes with the must-see banner, Fury believes he will remain the division’s top attraction after Saturday.
“When I beat Wilder, I’ll be on to the next one, so on and so forth,” Fury said. “It’s never about the opponent. I don’t care what they’re gonna do. I don’t care what they bring to the ring. It’s the Tyson Fury Show.”
▪ Unbeaten heavyweight and Miami resident Frank Sánchez will fight on the Fury-Wilder undercard. In a significant step of his career, Sánchez (18-0, 13 KOs) will face Efe Ajagba (15-0, 12 KOs). The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds.
▪ Spanish-language network Telemundo begins its fall season of televised fights on October 15. Promoted by Miami-based All-Star Boxing, the telecast will be headlined by a regional junior-flyweight title between Axel Aragon and Armando Torres.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 1:41 PM.