Craig Scott – Senior Staff Writer – @craigscott209
I’ve went back-and-forth over this and been chastised for previous predictions, so I’ll tread carefully… I was always of the impression that Deontay Wilder would knock Tyson Fury out. I thought Fury had focused too heavily on slimming down and perhaps had overlooked the importance of ‘match fitness’. However, after recently watching some of Wilder’s bouts, I’m beginning to switch allegiance.
The key to a Fury victory will be his timing and ability to read the Champion’s wild assaults. Wilder throws shots from the hip, sometimes even from the canvas it seems! He telegraphs a lot of his devastating punches and for a fighter as slippery as Fury, this could be ideal. If he can figure out the Wilder game-plan early and remain alert and consistent throughout the fight, the ‘Gypsy King’ can do the business!
Prediction: Fury via late stoppage
*
Paul Lam – Staff Writer – @PaulTheWallLam
If you cannot appreciate Tyson Fury’s ring-craft from a technical, as opposed to aesthetic, point of view, you don’t really understand boxing. I’ve always felt that the best version of Fury beats the best version of ANY heavyweight currently out there. Whether or not he turns up on Saturday night remains to be seen. Lest we forget, Fury was off for nearly two and a half years and his comeback since June this year has consisted of two glorified sparring sessions against woeful opposition. If he does however, Wilder will be in for a long and frustrating night.
I’m going to give Fury the benefit of the doubt here. Wilder will always be dangerous due to his power, but I expect Fury to nullify this with his ring intelligence and superior boxing skills en route to a clear unanimous decision or even a late stoppage if Wilder gets desperate and leaves himself open for exploitation.
Prediction: Fury via decision or late stoppage
*
Navi Singh – Staff Writer – @DarkMan________
Ultimately, the human head isn’t designed to take a Deontay Wilder right hand, and I fear Tyson Fury will find this out the hard way. Proceedings will be typically cautious and cagey throughout the early rounds in a fight of this magnitude, as opposed to the shootout many are anticipating. Despite widespread suggestions of athletic decline, it is highly likely that – as the fight approaches the middle stages – the challenger will claim most of the rounds courtesy of his higher output and pretty posturing.
However, it is also likely that he will be dramatically stopped in his tracks by a rampaging Wilder, who will almost certainly pounce before Fury is able to pull away with his lead. The champion is generally inclined towards engaging with reckless abandon after conceding early rounds to his opponents, unlike Klitschko; someone whose stand-offish style Fury was perfectly able to exploit. Fury simply won’t be able to withstand the inevitable Wilder onslaught. Wilder by violent stoppage, between rounds four to eight.
Prediction: Wilder via mid-rounds stoppage.
*
Emmily Simcock – Staff Writer – @emmily_jane
Nothing can compare to the mental strength Fury has shown – both in and out of the ring – over the past few years. With fast hands and surprisingly fast feet for a heavyweight, Fury can box with good reflexes and strong counter-punching skills. His awkward style can make most fighters look distinctly average. Wilder on the other hand can end a fight at any moment with a massive power punch.
Everyone underestimated Fury before he dethroned Klitschko – as they have done here – and I feel Fury will cause another shock in frustrating Wilder en route to another World title via points decision.
Prediction: Fury via decision
*
Ryan Fletcher – Head of Tech
Tyson Fury is the more fundamentally sound fighter – that much is clear – but when you possess the kind of one-punch power that Deontay Wilder has, fighting twice in three years as Fury has is far from ideal.
However, we’ve seen Wilder be outboxed by far less capable boxers such as Arthur Szpilka and Gerald Washington and Fury – while perhaps not the fighter he was – is still on a far different level to either guy. I see the fight being very dangerous early for Fury due to the speed and athleticism of Wilder, but I expect him to settle into a rhythm in the middle rounds en route to a clear unanimous decision.
Prediction: Fury by decision
*
Jay Robinson – Head of Brand
I think the fight is going to be extremely entertaining. With Fury having such a significant natural size and weight advantage over Wilder, I can see him trying to take the fight to him and try and get Wilder out of there.
I expect a firefight with Fury throwing caution to the wind and trying to force Wilder back. Whether this is playing into the American’s hands is another story, but I think Fury will surprise people with his willingness to sit in the pocket and trade… someone’s getting knocked out!
Prediction: Wilder by early KO
*
Andi Purewal – Content Executive – @AndiPurewal
Prior to coming out to Los Angeles, I had Deontay Wilder winning the fight by stoppage in the late rounds. However, seeing Team Fury throughout the week has forced me to doubt my initial prediction. I am still in favour of Wilder due to the lack of high-level activity in Fury’s career, but having upset the odds in his career – and life – you can’t help but wonder if Fury is capable of pulling off the upset.
Prediction: Wilder via late stoppage
*
Rob Tebbutt – Head of Content – @RobTebbutt
If you strip the fight back and look objectively at it, then a winner is pretty plain to see: one man has been inactive, fighting just twice in three years (both against overmatched opposition), lost an incredible amount of weight, a recent history of drug and alcohol problems and had a serious battle with mental health.
While this fighter has done all of the above, another fighter has been actively defending his title, scoring knockout after knockout against solid – albeit unspectacular – opposition before coming through a gut-check against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. He is both physically and mentally peaking and his development and experiences have given him a seemingly unshakeable belief in his ability… and he can punch like a mule.
On paper, there’s only one winner: but fights aren’t fought on paper – and what Tyson Fury brings to the table you can’t put into words anyway. He is an enigma, and if anyone can do it, it is him…
I expect a great fight.