Many questions surround the rivalry of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Here are six questions going into their Feb. 22 rematch.
The Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury rematch is now official for Feb. 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on pay-per-view.
We’ll have plenty of time to discuss the ins and outs of the matchup in the coming weeks, as the hype figures to hit a fevered pitch. For now, here are five early Wilder-Fury II questions to ponder:
Did Wilder learn lessons in the first fight that will lead to victory in the rematch?
Wilder has suggested that he was unable to knock out Fury in their first fight because he tried too hard to do so. That’s plausible. Perhaps Wilder’s knockdowns last December came late in the fight – in Rounds 9 and 12 – because he finally settled down and waited for openings to present themselves rather than forcing the issue. Of course, another possibility is that Fury is just a much better boxer than Wilder and, because he was getting tired, let his guard down a few times. One thing seems certain: Wilder won’t rush things the second time around.
Luis Ortiz came within a few punches of knocking out Deontay Wilder in March of last year yet Wilder agreed to fight him again.
Say what you want about Deontay Wilder but you have to agree: The man has nerve.
Luis Ortiz came within a few punches of knocking out the heavyweight titleholder in March of last year but Wilder survived and turned the tables, stopping Ortiz in Round 10. So what does Wilder do? He agrees to fight Ortiz again.
He didn’t have to do that, which isn’t lost on one interested party.
“Deontay Wilder is a throwback fighter like me, and we both want to fight the best,” said Ortiz, who, like Wilder, arrived Tuesday at the MGM Grand for their fight Saturday in Las Vegas. “I believe I’m the best and that’s why I’m getting this rematch.”
Wilder (41-0-1, 40 knockouts) seconded that notion.
“Even though I knocked Ortiz out the first time, it was an amazing fight,” he said. “That was the fight that I was challenged the most. I understand why none of the other heavyweights want to fight Ortiz.
Luis Ortiz arrives at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his second shot at Deontay Wilder on Saturday. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
“He’s very dangerous and I blessed him with a second chance,” continued Wilder. “Fans always get their money’s worth when I’m on the big stage.”
Wilder is coming off a Knockout of the Year candidate in May, a one-punch stoppage of Dominic Breazeale in Brooklyn. That followed Wilder’s controversial draw with Tyson Fury, who waits in the wings to see who will win on Saturday.
Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) has beaten three journeymen since the setback against Wilder, the last being a unanimous-decision victory over Christian Hammer in March.
However, the 40-year-old Cuban also has destroyed the contenders he has faced since turning pro in 2010, which is why few heavyweights have been eager to face him. Among his victims: Lateef Kayode, Bryant Jennings, Tony Thompson and Malik Scott.
Wilder and Ortiz appear to be serious about their rematch. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
Ortiz expects to give a vintage performance on Saturday.
“I’m focused on this fight and this fight only and doing everything to have my hand raised Saturday night,” he said.
Wilder also is confident.
“People know what I’m able to do to another human being inside of that ring,” he said. “I can’t wait for Saturday night.”
