The rematch between Deontay Wilder and arch rival Tyson Fury is on for February 22, according to a report on ESPN.com. Wilder expects it to look at least somewhat different from the first fight.
“This time,” Wilder told The PBC Podcast , “he ain’t getting up.”
Wilder’s primary goal is to become the only heavyweight champion, which would require victories over Fury and the winner of the Dec. 7 rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua.
“My mindset is to get ready for the next one because I’m on a mission,” said Wilder, who stopped Luis Ortiz with one punch last Saturday. “Like I said, I want one champion, one face, one name. And I’m so close, closer than I’ve ever been. There are a couple of obstacles to get out of the way but I’m not worried. I’m ready to go, ready to live out my dreams and reach them.
“It’s been a big goal for me to be undisputed, unified heavyweight champion and I’m here. One more step to go. If everything goes as planned, you can finally see a unified champion in the heavyweight division.”
Of course, Fury is a significant obstacle. In their first fight, last December, they fought to a split-decision draw even though most observers thought Fury did enough to win.
In the most dramatic moment of the fight, Wilder put Fury flat on his back with an enormous right-left combination in the 12th and final round yet Fury was able to get up and hear the final bell.
Wilder believes Fury was down for the 10 count, which means referee Jack Reiss shouldn’t have allowed the fight to continue, but he also blamed himself for his lack of patience. He pushed too hard for the knockout.
That’s the past, though. He says he learned from that experience and will be better in February.
“I can’t wait,” Wilder said. “(Fury) showed me everything he’s going to be able to do. I don’t think there’s (anything) Fury can do at this point to improve. Even in the first fight, he had three training camps, he had two warmups, he had like four, five different trainers come to help him out.
“He gave me his all that night. For me, that wasn’t the best Deontay Wilder. … I rushed it. This time around, I’ll be even more patient. I’ll pick my shots. I know exactly what this man wants to do. Like I say, don’t blink. You don’t know what it’s coming, but when it does, good night.”
He added for good measure: “I’m going to knock him out again … but in more devastating fashion and quicker fashion. It will be good while it lasts.”