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The WBC Heavyweight Title will be on the line tonight as Deontay Wilder (40-0 -39 KO’s) defends his belt against Tyson Fury (27-0, 18 KO’s).
There is a lot on the line in this match-up as both fighters come in with undefeated records. Wilder’s title belt is on the line but most importantly a major pay day is on the line for both fighters. This fight in particular will add some commas to each fighters bank account but pales in comparison to what they can make if they win this fight. The winner of this fight is the presumed next opponent for Anthony Joshua. Joshua is another undefeated boxer in the division: he holds all the major belts in the division outside of the WBC title. Joshua has by far the biggest fan base in the heavyweight division which means he makes the most money. It was estimated that Joshua made over 20 million pounds in his last fight, which is just over 25 million dollars. That is the type of money that could be at stake in this match-up for Wilder and Fury.
Keys to the Fight
Reach
Tyson Fury is 6 foot 9 inches tall with an 85 inch reach. Fury is a very skilled boxer who knows how to take advantage of his reach. He has to utilize this advantage against Wilder to keep him away and make it harder for him to land punches. This will be a new challenge for the 6 foot 7 inch Deontay Wilder, who has an 83 inch reach.
How will he adjust to being the shorter man in the ring? Does he have the skill set to invade Fury’s space without getting hit by counterpunches all night?
Power
Fury packs a pretty good punch and has some impressive knockouts on his resume but that is not his game. Fury wants to out box you and make you look silly while doing it. Wilder wants to take your head off with each punch. The Alabama native has a different type of power: he has the type of punches that may make boxers change career paths. There is a reason he has knocked out every opponent he has ever faced. Fury’s chin has never been tested by someone like this, even when he fought against Wladimir Klitschko his chin wasn’t truly tested.
How will Fury respond if Wilder lands a big shot? Will Wilder leave himself open to getting himself knocked out while trying to land one?
Body Work
Wilder isn’t known for going to the body during his fights but may have to change up his strategy in this bout. Fury’s reach advantage will make it hard for Wilder to land his devastating right hand. So it would be in his best interest to go to the body, which may open up head shots later on in the bout. Fury is good at going to the body and will need that during this fight. It is always good to go to the body against a power puncher like Wilder to sap some of that power away.
Who will go to the body more? Will Wilder be patient enough to go to the body?
Prediction
Tyson Fury’s skill and reach will bother Wilder for the first half of the fight. Wilder will eventually get inside of Fury’s defense and land a perfect right hand shot in the 9th round and win by knockout.