Wilder and Fury continue 'unfinished business' in Las Vegas

The 12th round of the original 2018 fight between heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury for the WBC (World Boxing Council) title is so timeless that it is still a hot topic 18 months later ahead of their Las Vegas rematch at the MGM Grand Arena on Saturday. Photo: Steve Marcus/Reuters

The 12th round of the original 2018 fight between heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury for the WBC (World Boxing Council) title is so timeless that it is still a hot topic 18 months later ahead of their Las Vegas rematch at the MGM Grand Arena on Saturday. Photo: Steve Marcus/Reuters

Published Feb 20, 2020

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LONDON – The 12th round of the original 2018 fight between

heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury for the WBC (World Boxing

Council) title is so timeless that it is still a hot topic 18 months

later ahead of their Las Vegas rematch at the MGM Grand Arena on

Saturday. 

At the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Fury had already been down in

the ninth round but as the final bell neared, everyone in the arena

thought it was over when Fury fell after a fierce right-left

combination with his eyes closed. 

In a split second, Fury opened his eyes and rose to his feet before

fighting to a draw.

Veteran judges have been named for the rematch but Wilder says that

punch gives him a psychological advantage as they prepare for round

13. 

"Round 12 has been in his mind since this fight was announced. It's

been in his head for a while," said Wilder. 

"It was a miracle he got up. He should be saying thank you Lord

Jesus. It's always living in his head that punch and as a fighter, I

understand this. 

"We risk our lives for the entertainment of others and you don't

forget when you've been hurt. So coming into this fight, he knows

what to expect already."

"Fair play to Wilder, he hit me with two of the best punches I've

ever seen thrown that night," admitted Fury. 

Championship-renowned referee Kenny Bayliss has been named for the

fight along with judges Dave Moretti, Steve Weisfeld and Glenn

Feldman as the ringside judges. 

"Kenny is a great referee," said Wilder. 

"I like the way he move in the ring and the expressions on his face

when he does that. I look forward to his expression when he's looking

over Fury and counting to 10."

Britain's Fury is only the second fighter to last a 12-round fight

with Wilder, who has a formidable record of 41 knock-outs from 42

fights, a  talent Wilder described as a gift. 

"I think I have proved that I have something very special," said

Wilder. 

"This is god given. I don't have to do any weights or cardio. It's

born with me and it's an amazing feeling to have it."

Fury hopes to continue an unbeaten streak of 30 fights but he will

aim to do so with a new trainer after leaving Ben Davison for Javan

Sugar Hill Steward - the son of Emmanuel Steward, who once trained

Wladimir Klitschko and former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis. 

When Wilder heard this news, he thought that there were more secrets

behind the scenes in Fury's camp. 

"He's got a lot of nervous energy by changing a lot of his team and

so many different things," Wilder explained "Like the saying goes, if

it isn't broken, why fix it?"

The former champion Fury, who wrested the IBF, WBA and WBO

heavyweight titles from Klitschko before a three-year hiatus, is

known for his boxing skills rather than power but claims he will get

a knockout win on Saturday. 

But a key part of that win over Klitschko was crafted in the buildup

with signature Fury bravado and Wilder says he is doing the same

thing in Vegas. 

The 35-year-old American remains convinced that the title will stay

with him and that he won't be the one lying on his back. 

"I don't believe nothing Fury says," claimed Wilder. 

"I think he's just trying to butter me up like he did in the first

fight with a lot of taunting. With a fighter as dangerous as I am, I

don't see that (a Fury knockout win) happening.

"We'll pick up from where we left off because it's just unfinished

business." 

dpa

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