Deontay Wilder has one last shot at glory but looks likely to miscalculate his opponent yet again when he fights WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, for a third time Saturday, July 24 in Las Vegas.
Wilder thought his chances of redemption in the heavyweight division were over following his seventh-round knockout by Fury when these giants met in the ring back in February 2020.
Fury was a class above the American that day and immediately cast his eyes to a unification bout with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua. But COVID-19 and a clause in the Wilder contract mean that fight has been delayed in order to facilitate this rumble instead.
Many boxing betting fans consider Saturday’s money-maker a gift for Wilder that he doesn’t deserve. The Bronze Bomber has been twice outclassed by Fury and really should have lost their opening fight back in December 2018 that ended in a split decision.
But can Wilder take advantage here and claim a career-defining victory? The Fury vs Wilder betting odds certainly aren’t swinging with the Alabaman – but anything can happen in boxing.
Fury vs Wilder Stats
| Career record | Tyson Fury | Deontay Wilder |
| Nationality | British | American |
| Age | 32 (August 12, 1988) | 35 (Oct 22, 1985) |
| Reach | 85 inches | 83 inches |
| Record | 31-0-1 | 42-1-1 |
| Last fight | Beat Deontay Wilder (TKO), February 2020 | Lost to Tyson Fury (TKO), February 2020 |
The Tyson Fury stats certainly work in the Brit’s favor. He stands two inches taller than Wilder and boasts the same reach advantage too. Fury is undefeated after 32 fights – his one draw was against Wilder in 2018 – and perhaps more importantly has three years on his opponent. Fury has proved capable of going the distance despite perpetual issues about his weight, and he’s been training for a fight like this for months. Indeed, we might not see a fitter Fury enter the ring in Vegas, while for Wilder this fight has come at short notice.
Fury: “I care about smashing people”
Fury’s victory over Wilder 16 months ago was meant to end the rivalry between these two heavyweights and, in reality, it has. Boxers like to talk a good fight to promote their bouts but Fury has stayed away from the usual personal jibes and instead appears to be taking the July 24 rumble as any other fight.
“I’ve got nothing personal against Wilder,” Fury said. “I don’t care about belts, or that stuff being remembered. I care about smashing people.
“If Wilder is in front of me I will give him a good hiding. The motivation? It’s what I was born to do.
“I’m not interested in money, belts, or whatever comes with it. I’m interested in blood and the fight.”
Fury is the overwhelming favorite to win this contest in the latest boxing odds.
Wilder Thanks Legal Team
As for Wilder, he barely spoke during the pre-fight press conference and appeared to do the bare minimum his contractual duties allowed. Plenty has been made of the late legal challenge to Fury’s scheduled clash with Joshua and how Wilder’s camp effectively forced this third fight before the all-Brit showdown.
Wilder certainly doesn’t appear prepared for what’s coming on July 24 and wasn’t really in the mood to talk up the fight, other than to thank his lawyers for nailing the date.
“I’d like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ. I’d like to thank my amazing team, and I’d like to thank my amazing legal team as well,” Wilder said. “Look, enough said. Time to cut off his head. Come July 24, there will be blood shed. Get your tickets now. I’ll see you soon.”
Hardly the fighting talk of a man confident in his own fists.
Fury vs Wilder Betting Latest
Fury is the favorite to win this fight at -300, but remarkably 56% of all bets on the moneyline have gone with Wilder. That’s likely because his price of +235 to win has convinced punters to back the American to deliver a pop-shot and reduce Fury to a first career defeat.
This is betting with the head, not the heart. Wilder’s price is just too good to ignore right now. However, don’t be surprised if more bets fall on Fury the closer we get to fight night, which will suppress the Brit’s odds even further.
Those seeking an upset will point to the Wilder record and rightly say he was undefeated before he fought Fury 16 months ago. The American still has power in his fists and has defeated the likes of Dominic Breazeale and twice Luis Ortiz in recent fights. In 2018 he went the distance with Fury and got the split decision. Could that happen again? Saturday is +200 to go all 12 rounds but bettors are gravitating more towards an early stoppage (-250).
In fact, with both men willing to clobber the other and force their opponents to the canvas, it seems highly unlikely that we will see a full fight here in Vegas. Fury is +1400 to win in round five and +1200 to KO Wilder in round seven. This is where the American could hit the canvas and where most boxing experts believe the fight will be ended.
