Tag: Boxing

Wilder-Fury III is on. Here’s everything you need to know.

Deontay Wilder has exercised his right for a third fight, and we have the date and location details.

Deontay Wilder will exercise his right for a third fight against Tyson Fury, and the trilogy is on.

According to a report from ESPN’s Dan Rafael, Wilder has asked for a third fight, and the turnaround will be quick — They are scheduling for it to happen on July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

That’s a quick turnaround for a third fight, but it’s clear they want to capitalize on the attention that the heavyweight matchup has garnered over its first two iterations.

Wilder won the first bout by knockout, with Fury dominating the second fight until Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh. Wilder suggested after the fight that perhaps the ref, or the 45-pound costume he wore before the bout, were to blame for the loss.

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Deontay Wilder saying he trained with a 45-pound vest makes his outfit excuse look worse

So much for that excuse.

In the days since Deontay Wilder took the first professional loss of his career at the hands of Tyson Fury, the former WBC heavyweight champion has unleashed plenty of excuses to explain what went wrong on Saturday night.

He blamed referee Kenny Bayless for not enforcing his pre-fight warnings about punches to the back of the head. He blamed his corner for throwing in the towel (despite that being the correct and responsible move). He also blamed the elaborate, 40-pound costume he wore during the ring walk for tiring out his legs by Round 3.

While it could theoretically be draining to take a long walk to the ring with 40 pounds of costume on your person, Wilder acted like it was a shock to his system and not something he’s been accustomed to. Back in 2018 and after the first Fury fight, Wilder discussed using a 45-pound vest as a key component for his training regimen.

He said to Joe Rogan:

“We want to activate the fast-twitch muscles. We do everything with rapid speed. If I’m doing anything that consists of me moving my feet, it’s sprinting and stuff like that. I wear a 45-pound vest on me as well to all my exercises and everything that I do to have that extra weight on me.”

If a 45-pound vest was a regular component of “ALL” his exercises, then that really makes his costume excuse look weaker than it already did. He should have been used to the weight.

Wilder has said that he’ll activate the rematch clause of the contract, so we’ll have to see what kind of costume he opts for ahead of his next fight. And how heavy it is.

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Deontay Wilder blames Tyson Fury loss on 45-pound costume he wore before fight

This is an all-timer of an excuse.

Deontay Wilder was in trouble against Tyson Fury from the very start of their heavyweight championship fight last Saturday night in Las Vegas, and now we’re learning that what he wore into the ring might have had something to do with it.

Well, at least that’s the excuse Wilder is apparently using a few days after the fight.

Wilder wore an elaborate costume into the ring, which weighed 45 pounds.

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According to a report by The Athletic, those 45 pounds took a lot out of Wilder’s legs as he made his way to the ring.

You can’t make this stuff up:

I mean, that is an all-timer of an excuse.

Boxing fans agreed:

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This old interview of Tyson Fury talking about his battle with mental illness is incredible

“I was on the verge of suicide. That’s when I would have quit. But I didn’t quit on myself and I didn’t quit on the world. That’s why I’m back here to tell the story.”

Tyson Fury put on an absolute show Saturday night, dominating his heavyweight title fight against Deontay Wilder before the fight was finally called in the seventh round.

It was an incredible performance by Fury, who is now easily one of the biggest stars in all of sports.

For those who don’t know his full story, Fury has battled with mental illness over the years and used to often have suicidal thoughts. He abused alcohol and drugs during his darkest times and put on a ton of weight while staying out of the ring for three years after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

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Since then he has been incredibly open about his battles with mental illness. Fury also donated his entire $9 million purse from his first fight against Wilder to homeless and mental health charities.

In 2019 during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” he opened up about his struggles and what got him through the worst of times. This interview went viral again after Saturday night’s fight, and rightly so because it’s pretty darn inspirational:

Powerful, indeed.

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LeBron James agrees with Wilder’s corner throwing in the towel vs. Fury

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was watching the fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, which was won by Knockout by Fury.

LeBron James, like many sports fans on Saturday night, was watching attentively during the rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas. Fury won the rematch decisively after scoring a knockdown early that caught Wilder behind the ear before the referee called the fight and Wilder’s corner simultaneously threw in the towel to call of the fight for their fighter.

Although some who were watching the fight wanted it to continue in order to let Wilder have another chance at a knockout, he was frankly stumbling around and had little balance after the first knockdown. LeBron believes Wilder’s corner, and the referee did him a favor on Saturday.

LeBron, as he addressed this week when he weighed in on the Houston Astros scandal, loves sports. But he also loves a good competition and it is clear that the fight had already gone Fury’s way on Saturday night. While James did watch the fight, his business partner Maverick Carter and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green were actually in attendance. LeBron, meanwhile, has an early game at 3:30 p.m. EST at home against the Boston Celtics.

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Tyson Fury trolled Deontay Wilder ahead of their weigh-in

Tyson Fury was too resourceful here.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are two of the fiercest fighters in the world, but they also seem like they might be two pretty funny dudes.

The two fighters had live cameras on them ahead of their weigh-in on Friday while they were sitting backstage – Fury happened to notice that both were being broadcast simultaneously. So he took the liberty of trolling Wilder a bit, who was sitting backstage on a coach with his fianceé.

Wilder flipped him a quick bird and then had a little fun with the moment himself. It was a pretty funny moment between the two ahead of their rematch on Saturday night.

Man, that is one resourceful troll from Fury. You’ve got to appreciate that. It’s good to see them both getting a laugh out of this before they have to, you know, bash each other’s heads in.

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Wilder, Fury, to answer questions in big heavyweight rematch

LAS VEGAS (AP) – The best fights come with questions, and there are many surrounding Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury as they meet in a rematch that is arguably the biggest heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis destroyed Mike Tyson 18 years ago in …

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The best fights come with questions, and there are many surrounding Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury as they meet in a rematch that is arguably the biggest heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis destroyed Mike Tyson 18 years ago in Memphis.

The best fighters usually end up providing the answers, and that’s what makes Saturday’s showdown must-see TV even for those who are only casual fans.

Can Fury outbox Wilder again like he did in the first fight, which ended in a draw? Can Wilder land the same kind of devastating punches that left Fury flat on his back in the 12th round of that fight, seemingly for good, in the 11th defense of his title?

Can one heavyweight rule the roost and give boxing the champion — and division — the sport has been thirsting for all these years?

Tune in to the $79.99 pay-per-view to see those questions answered in a heavyweight fight so big it got a shout-out this week from Amy Klobuchar in the Democratic presidential debate.

“Boxing is back,” promoter Bob Arum crowed. “And as a really important sport, not a niche sport anymore.”

The heavyweight division is back, too, with Wilder and Fury topping a list of attractive fighters that includes another British fighter, Anthony Joshua, and the portly yet charming Andy Ruiz Jr.

Wilder and Fury could make $40 million each in their eagerly anticipated rematch, and there are plenty of heavyweight matchups to get people talking about the big guys once again.

Special Wilder/Fury II betting line

Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either Wilder or Fury win. Bet now! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

And big they are, with Wilder checking in at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds of frightful power. Fury is more of a boxer but even bigger at 6-9 and 270, which he reminded Wilder of as they stood in a toe-to-toe face off at Wednesday’s final prefight news conference to promote the bout.

“Look how small you are, you midget,” Fury barked at Wilder.

“You’re the one who was on the ground,” Wilder replied. “I was standing on top of you.”

That’s exactly where Wilder was in the 12th round in the first fight in Los Angeles, and he thought Fury wasn’t getting up. With good reason, because the other fighters he has knocked out during his career — 41 of the 42 he faced before Fury, to be exact — didn’t.

Also see:

Fury, though, not only somehow managed to pull himself up but finished the fight strong. The official decision was a draw that satisfied neither fighter, but the fight was so entertaining it was certain they would do it again.

Fourteen months later they are doing just that — and Wilder (42-0-1, 41 knockouts) said this time Fury won’t be upright at the end.

“Round 12 has been living in his mind a long time,” said Wilder, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist from Birmingham, Alabama. “It’s always living in his head. If he says otherwise, he’s lying.”

To be sure, round 12 is living in a lot of heads lately because ESPN and Fox Sports have replayed the knockdown hundreds of times in a relentless buildup for the fight. The two networks are combining to show the pay-per-view, as well as hosting a flurry of programming leading up to the bout.

It may not hit the 1.99 million pay-per-views that Tyson and Lewis combined to sell in 2002, but it’s not for a lack of trying. Both Fury and Wilder talk as well as they fight, and they have done everything possible to make themselves household names in houses where boxing is not normally discussed.

That included some pushing and shoving and trash talking when they met this week at the MGM Grand in a news conference televised by ESPN2 and Fox Sports I that was mostly an infomercial — complete with commercial breaks — for those unfamiliar with the fighters.

Also see: Subscribe to ESPN+ now to live stream Wilder-Fury II

“It’s refreshing to have another character in your division be able to talk and promote as well,” Wilder said. “A lot of these guys don’t want to talk and you have to spread the message. And the message is on Saturday night people can witness an amazing fight and, in my case, the hardest-hitting puncher in boxing history.”

That’s debatable, of course, but if styles do really make fights, the two heavyweights should put on a good clash in their rematch. Wilder is predicting a real knockout this time, while Fury says he will turn the tables and go after the big puncher instead of boxing his way to a decision win.

“He’s a bully and when a bully gets bullied he falls every time,” Fury (29-0-1, 20 knockouts) said. “Is there anything the Gypsy King can’t do?”

Oddsmakers posted the fight as pick ‘em with no betting favorite, a rare line in boxing. The line is appropriate, if only because these are arguably the two best heavyweights in the world — and they’re not afraid to meet each other in one of the biggest heavyweight showdowns in recent times.

“I know he’s coming for a fight and I’m coming for a fight,” Fury said. “The fans are going to be in for a treat.”

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury 2 odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Wilder-Fury heavyweight boxing matchup, with boxing betting odds, picks and best bets

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Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will do battle in a heavyweight championship rematch at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, with the card getting underway at 9 p.m. ET.

Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury: What you need to know

Wilder (42-0-1) looks good — OK, really good — as I had to pleasure of attending the press conference at MGM Grand casino Wednesday. In fact, the news conference was so bombastic, resulting in pushing and shoving between the fighters and others, that the Nevada Sports Athletic Commission has barred WBC heavyweight title holder Wilder and lineal champ Fury from participating in the traditional faceoff at the weigh-in Friday.

Fury (29-0-1) has managed 20 knockouts of his own, but he is more known for being a technician rather than a brawler like Wilder. He was dropped in the ninth and 12th rounds by Wilder in the first meeting, but he managed to scrap his way back to a draw. In fact, the two knockdowns actually cost him, as one judge had it 113-113, and admitted Fury was docked two points for the knockdowns. Razor-thin margin.

This rematch will be one of the best fights of 2020, and it could be a trilogy if this bout ends in another draw or a close decision.

Wilder-Fury 2 odds, picks, tips and best bets

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Wilder (-110) is a slight favorite over Fury (+100) on the 3-way betting line, with a Draw (+2000) also a choice. It isn’t a wise decision to back a second straight draw, however.

Wilder’s knockout percentage is simply amazing, but Fury is one of two fighters to avoid being knocked out by the WBC champ. Vegas considers this fight a toss-up, and the general public lean goes slightly to the champ. Backing WILDER TO WIN ON POINTS (FULL DISTANCE) at +800 is a good start to your ticket.

Special Wilder/Fury II betting line

Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either Wilder or Fury win. Bet now! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

If you don’t believe the fight goes to the judges, or you like Wilder late, go with WILDER TO WIN IN ROUNDS 10 THROUGH 12 (+800). That’s quite a nice return. Fury will not go quietly into the night, but Wilder could finish him late if fatigue becomes an issue. You could also play it safe — particularly if you’re on the fence on who wins but like the bout to go deep into the Vegas night — and take 9 ROUNDS OR MORE (-150).

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Wilder straight up at -110 to win outright pays just a $9.10 profit. 

My ticket will consist of a straight 3-way bet on Wilder (-110) to win, with a wager in Round Group Betting 2 which sees Wilder in Rounds 9-12 (+550). I’ll couple that with a hedge bet of the fight lasting 9 rounds or more (-150), regardless of winner. In addition, the Round Group Betting 3 section of when will the fight be won has ROUNDS 7-12 (+200) listed, which is a solid play, regardless of winner.

If you want some action on this title bout or other boxing matches, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Stephen A. Smith has finally been reunited with the Jabbawockeez

Stephen A. is still as stiff as a board.

Stephen A. Smith is best known as sports media’s leading 24-hour hot take machine. But, as great as he is at his job, he is also a man of many talents. And I would argue that dancing is certainly not one of those talents. He’s terrible at it. He’s as stiff as they come, y’all.

Still, somehow, our man Stephen A. is down with the Jabbawockeez.

Remember when he danced with them before the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight a few years back? Well, they made a surprise appearance on First Take in Las Vegas on Thursday, and  Stephen A. showed off some more of his, uh, moves.

To be fair, Stephen A. didn’t give them his real moves today. He only hit us with something slight — you know the vibes.

Still, somehow, it looks like my man needs to hit his joints with some WD-40. Where’s the rhythm, fam? Here’s another view. Y’all can be the judge.

Man, listen, Stephen A., we love you. We applaud you for being this vulnerable with us and showing us your flaws. But you have to stop doing this. It’s not your move, bud.

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