Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury

This is a tough one to call in my view. The Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury fight in Las Angeles is certainly an intriguing match up. Fury has - with the exception of his two recent poor tune up fights - been out for years now and didn't exactly look after himself in the mean time. While suffering from mental health issues he ballooned to 10st more than his current 256.5lbs weigh-in weight. It certainly shows intent and dedication that he's made it back down to this weight in a year though, and there is an undeniable quality to his 2015 win over Wladimir Klitschko so he's a proven quantity. Let's remember too, that he's still undefeated.

Deontay Wilder is a man in search of a big name to fight. Despite being heavyweight champion of the world since early 2015 and an enviable 39 knock outs from 40 wins, with no loses, he still doesn't have the name recognition of many heavyweight fighters of the past. So much so that Tyson Fury featured in a 15 minute video where he walked around  LA asking people if they know who Deontay Wilder is. Few did. Wilder will see this as a big opportunity being that Fury has had years out and may well be ring rusty or past his best. It's a calculated gamble and we'll soon know whether it has paid off for him.

The reach and weight advantage is most certainly with Tyson Fury. He's 256lbs to Wilder's 212lbs. Wilder holds immense power though, with what is described as a 'murderous right hand' - a right hand that's ended all but one of his fights within the distance. Power aside though, it can be said that he's a somewhat one dimensional fighter and so if Fury can minimise the threat of a big punch he's likely to grow in confidence the longer the fight goes on.

Taking all this into account I'd say that logically I'd either expect the fight to end early at the right hand of Wilder, or later to Fury, possibly on points. The betting odds follow the thread that there are many unknowns in this encounter. Wilder is 4/6 to win, with Fury at 13/10. William Hill offer 7/2 for either fighter to be knocked down in rounds 1-3. I'd be tempted by that really, with the numerous factors that are at play here. Fury is 9/4 to win on points. That might appeal to some. I'll not be betting personally, just seeing what happens in what is bound to be an entertaining affair in one way or another.