Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II: preview, fight guide, predictions, UK start time, TV channel, betting odds

Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II

• What: WBC world heavyweight boxing title rematch 
• When: Saturday 22 February (Sunday for UK viewers) 
• Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 
• UK start time: 4am GMT on Sunday 23 February (estimated)  
• TV channel: live on BT Sport Box Office (£24.95 PPV) 

After the controversial split-decision draw in December 2018, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are ready for their long-awaited rematch and both unbeaten boxers have vowed to achieve a knockout victory.

In the first fight Fury was knocked down twice by WBC champion Wilder, but many boxing fans and pundits believed the British fighter had done enough to win on points. 

However, after 12 rounds the decision went to the judges with Mexico’s Alejandro Rochin scoring it 115-111 to Wilder, Canada’s Robert Tapper giving it to Fury 114-112 and Phil Edwards of the UK scoring it a 113-113 draw.  

With Wilder’s WBC and Ring Magazine belts, plus Fury’s lineal champion status on the line, we look at all the details ahead of the huge rematch on 22 February at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For analysis of the biggest sport stories – and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news – try The Week magazine. Start your trial today 
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

What the fighters are saying 

Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder

“When you get knocked down by someone, you never forget it or how they did it. Deep down I feel he’s nervous, very nervous from what happened the first time. When you go in there for a second time it has to be stressful and you definitely can’t sleep at night. 

“He’s worried and I don’t think his confidence is that high because of the state I left him in before. I gave this man concussion and it will happen again because the head is not meant to be hit, especially by the power of Deontay Wilder, so he has a lot to think about.

“It’s called unfinished business and he won’t be able to get back up. I’m going to knock him out. We both have to come in like we did the first fight, with our hearts on our sleeves and the warrior mentality that we always bring.”

Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury 

“I’m not coming here for a points decision, I’ve had too many of them – nine of them – I’m coming here for a knockout, I’ve had 21 of them and from the heart that’s what I’m looking to do.

“The first fight I wanted to go in there and outbox him. It didn’t work. No matter what people say, I didn’t win. I count a draw as a loss.

“I’m looking for a knockout. I didn’t come here again to get a bad decision. I know I’m not going to get a decision in the United States.

“I won’t be running. You won’t have to look anywhere for me. Just watch out for the right hands because you’re going to sleep in two rounds.”

Big fight guide 

When is the UK start time?

Because of the time difference between Vegas and the UK, boxing fans in Britain should expect to watch the fight in the early hours of Sunday morning on 23 February. BT Sport Box Office states a 4am (GMT) UK start time. However, this depends on the undercard bouts and build-up to the headline event.  

How to watch Wilder vs. Fury II on TV

The epic rematch will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport Box Office. The pay-per-view costs £24.95.

Tale of the tape

Deontay Wilder 

• Nickname: Bronze Bomber 
• Nationality: American 
• Age: 34 
• Record: 42 fights, 41 KOs, zero losses, 1 draw 
• Stance: Orthodox 
• Height: 6′ 7″ (201cm) 
• Reach: 83″ (211cm)

Tyson Fury

• Nickname: Gypsy King  
• Nationality: British  
• Age: 31 
• Record: 29 fights, 20 KOs, zero losses, 1 draw  
• Stance: Orthodox 
• Height: 6′ 9″ (206cm) 
• Reach: 85″ (216cm)

Pundit predictions: who will win the rematch?

Anthony Joshua, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion, via Sky Sports: Tyson Fury 

“Wilder coming through is better because [a fight with me] is what people have been eagerly anticipating. But I think Fury can win. For Wilder to win he has to knock Fury completely out, and he couldn’t do that the first time. For Fury to win, he can hurt Wilder or out-box him. Fury has more to his arsenal so that’s why I’m leaning to him.”

Jordan Neild, British Boxing News: Deontay Wilder by KO

“I think Wilder will win inside the distance. Fury at his best has the tools to beat Deontay Wilder but I think his opportunity was when they met in December 2018. He could well win every second of the fight but I think at some point Wilder lands and takes him out. Fury winning would be monumental for boxing in this country but we are looking at one of the biggest punchers in the history of the sport in Deontay Wilder and I’m not sure he will show Fury the same respect he did the first time around.”

Colin Hart, The Sun: Wilder by KO

“For me, Wilder is the most terrifying of them all. That rigor mortis right hand of his is the most devastating punch I’ve ever seen. When it comes to taking a man out with a single shot the Tuscaloosa time-bomb is in a league of his own. Here’s the $64m question. Has he [Fury] the mental strength to concentrate for every second of the scheduled 36 minutes? I don’t think he can. About round nine or ten I can see Fury being flattened – only this time he will be unable to hear the referee counting to ten over him.”

Wladimir Klitschko, who lost to Fury in 2015, via The National

“Either Wilder is going to knock out Fury or Fury is going to win on points. Personally, I respect Wilder a lot – he was in my training camp, we spent rounds in the ring. He’s a great guy and a fantastic boxer. I think, or I wish, that actually Fury, believe it or not, might make it. Maybe not, but I wish he’s going to.” 

Ewan Lavender, The Stats Zone: Fury via decision

“Fury outclassed Wilder for the majority of their first clash with that vicious knockdown saving the champion from a decision loss. Fury is expected to be the fittest he has been in years and now he has experienced 12 rounds with Wilder he will be better prepared to avoid his scary knockout power and if he succeeds, he should walk away with a comfortable decision this time around. Winner: Fury via decision.”

Scott Hastings, Odds Shark: Fury via decision

“Gypsy King outstruck the Bronze Bomber in nine of the 12 rounds and Wilder landed just 17% of his punches while Fury landed at a rate of 26%. I think the same things are in play for the rematch. Fury is the better boxer, with tremendous movement but not a lot of power, while Wilder possesses devastatingly powerful hands that can end the fight. Prediction: Tyson Fury via decision.”

Fight Nights: Fury by unanimous decision

“Fury can win all day and win easy. If he stays outside the range of Wilder’s right hand. That being said this fight is still a 50-50 fight because it’s one punch away from being over. Fury outclassed Wilder for the majority of their first fight. Fury is expected to be in the best shape of his life. Fury should be better prepared to avoid Wilder’s scary knockout power. We believe that Fury will win the fight by a UD [unanimous decision] over 12 rounds.”

Conor McGregor, UFC star, via BT Sport: Fury

“He’s got a good tough fight, Deontay is a powerful guy. But I think if he keeps his mind strong and keeps his playfulness in there and his sharpness and his elusiveness, I think he can do the job.”

Frank Warren, promoter, via British Boxing News: Fury 

“I actually do think Tyson will stop him but, having said that, I don’t see Wilder doing anything differently than he did in the first fight, albeit he is a dangerous sod. I see Tyson comprehensively out-boxing him this time around before either stopping him or winning on points by a wide margin.”

Betting odds: Wilder vs. Fury II 

Prices according to Oddschecker 

To win the fight 

• Tyson Fury: 4/5 
• Deontay Wilder: 11/2 
• Draw: 25/1 

Method of victory

• Wilder by KO, TKO or disqualification: 7/5  
• Fury by decision or technical decision: 11/8 
• Fury by KO, TKO or disqualification: 11/2 
• Wilder by decision or technical decision: 11/1 
• Draw or technical draw: 25/1 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For analysis of the biggest sport stories – and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news – try The Week magazine. Start your trial today 
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––