Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder fight: Analysis, history and prediction ahead of heavyweight title showdown

It wasn't the heavyweight title fight many were expecting six months ago.

But Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury promises an explosive end of the year for boxing fans with the American's WBC championship on the line in Los Angeles.

In just his third fight back since an 18-month lay off, Fury has been immediately thrust back into the world title picture.

But if the Gypsy King is to regain gold this December he will have to stop a man whose fearsome knockout rate of 98% has seen him see off every challenge to date.

John Dillon looks at the tale of the tape as we count down to fight night.

History

Wilder

Wilder, 33, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, became the first American heavyweight champion in nine years when he beat Bermane Stiverne in 2015.

He won heavyweight bronze at the 2008 Olympics and has won 40 straight fights – knocking out 39 of his opponents. He has made seven successful defences,

Fury

Fury, 30, is a Traveller from Manchester and is the self-proclaimed ‘lineal’ heavyweight champion, having relinquished the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts rather than lose them in the ring.

He boxed for both Ireland and England as an amateur but missed out to David Price on the team for the 2008 Olympics. He was national ABA champion at super-heavyweight in 2008. There are 19 knockouts on his professional record of 27 straight wins.

Size

Wilder

Wilder is six feet seven inches and in his last fight against Luiz Ortiz last March he weight 214-and-three-quarter lbs.

Fury

Fury is six feet nine and in his last fight against Francesco Pianeta in August he weighed 258 lbs.

Style

Wilder

Wilder is a big-swinging, big-hitter who can look unschooled, awkward and clumsy but packs huge power. Stiverne, the one man to take him the distance, was knocked out in the first round in their rematch last November.

Fury

Fury epitomises the old boxing purist’s adage that the sport’s aim is to hit and not be hit. He is elusive, clever, analytical and quick on his feet – skills which allowed him to bamboozle Wladimir Klitschko. But he is not a huge puncher despite his size.

Personality

Wilder

Wilder is a fast-talking and brash American who happily stirs up controversy if it sells tickets and pay-per-view subscriptions.

But like most fighters, he has an introspective and articulate side away from the hoopla. He took up boxing to secure his family’s future after his daughter Naieya was diagnosed with spina bifida.

Fury

Fury‘s brash and confident personality has made him a larger-than-life figure and that is one of the reasons he attracts so much attention.

He once even dressed as Batman at a press conference. But he has spoken openly about the extent of his battles with booze, drugs and depression and admits that training for this fight is helping to keep him balanced after some extreme struggles.

How it will go

Wilder

Wilder is the favourite and will hunt down Fury very quickly aiming to land with what the Manchester fighter acknowledges is his ‘dynamite power.’

Fury

Fury’s skill is in boxing clever and avoiding providing a target while employing excellent movement and reflexes. But the x-factor is all about how sharp those abilities are at this level after just two low-key fights in three years.

And he admits he will have to engage at some point – especially given the fact that he is the challenger and the fight is in the USA.

What happens after?

Wilder

If Wilder wins, the clamour will begin again for a clash with Anthony Joshua, although the idea has huge negotiating obstacles to overcome. If he loses, he is sure to have an instant re-match clause in his contract.

Fury

A victory for Fury would be the second sensational win of his career and he would become a big name in the USA. But he is likely to be compelled to take a re-match if this happens. If he is defeated, he will have to assess his further options and re-group. But one defeat need not spell the end of his career.