Tag: Wilder-Fury 2

Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II poll: 16-10 edge for Wilder

Of 26 boxing people polled ahead the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury rematch Saturday in Las Vegas, 16 favored Wilder and 10 picked Fury.

The majority of boxing people asked to predict the winner of the rematch between heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on pay-per-view went with Wilder.

Of 26 polled by the Wilder-Fury promotional teams, 16 favored the American and 10 leaned toward the Englishman.

Wilder and Fury fought to a controversial draw in their first fight, on Dec. 1, 2018 in Los Angeles. Fury won the majority of rounds on two cards but failed to win because he went down twice, which cost him two points.

Here are the picks and comments:

Sugar Ray Leonard, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “I like Deontay Wilder to win, possibly by knockout, but, in truth, I don’t see either guy being knocked out. I think that Wilder not only has that powerful right hand, but that he has improved in his ability to set it up.

“On the other hand, I know that Tyson Fury has excellent boxing abilities and a tremendous chin from the way that he got up from the two knockdowns in their previous fight. In the end, I think that Wilder is always in shape and that he will use his speed and power to get the job done.”

Jamel Herring, junior lightweight titleholder
Fury MD 12: “If Fury can box the same way he boxed in the first fight, without any scares, he can pull it off. On the flip side, it’s hard to pick against Wilder, as he always looks more impressive in rematches.”

Manny Pacquiao, welterweight titleholder
Wilder KO 10: “Never bet against a puncher, particularly one like Deontay Wilder. I look at Wilder like I do at a Mike Tyson, another puncher. I see Wilder winning this rematch with Tyson Fury by 10th-round knockout.”

Carl Frampton, former two-division titleholder
Fury W 12: “I think it’s a very difficult fight to call. Fury won the last one by a mile, but I think Wilder will be more aggressive this time, which may play into Fury’s hands. Wilder can win by KO at any moment, but put a gun to my head, and I’d say Fury on points.”

Thomas Hearns, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder can box and win, but I think that his power will be the difference in defeating Tyson Fury. I believe that it will go to a decision again, but with Deontay Wilder winning it.”

Mikaela Mayer, 2016 U.S. Olympian
Fury by decision: “Fury is the better boxer and smart enough to make the adjustments needed from the last fight. If he can avoid a bomb from the ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ I think he will win on the scorecards.”

Evander Holyfield, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “I’m picking Deontay Wilder based on his confidence and the fact that he does all of the right things to remain in great shape, and that he’s committed to his craft. Wilder’s not just a big guy with a right hand, but he’s also become more calculated in his approach. That’s why I’m picking him to win this second fight against Tyson Fury.”

Michael Conlan, featherweight contender
Fury by decision: “He needs to be even more careful this time, but he looks like he’s put in some serious work and is ready to finish what he started last time.”

Shawn Porter, welterweight contender
Wilder KO: “I have not had this hard of a time picking a winner of a fight after dissecting every component in a very long time. I honestly believe that this fight right here will seal both of their legacies.

“This is a 50-50 fight for several reasons. Deontay Wilder will be much more patient and freer from the anxiety he had trying to put on a big show in the first fight. Tyson Fury is now two years from depression, two fights from the retirement he came out of to fight Wilder.

“Fury has changed trainers in order to take the fight to Wilder and win by KO. Fury still has his speed and quickness, while Wilder is still powerful and more confident. It’s going to be a great fight.

“It’s razor thin until the end. I’m picking Wilder to win by KO, Fury by points, or Fury by KO. This is a 50-50 fight. I said on ‘Inside PBC Boxing’ a couple of weeks ago that Wilder wins by KO, but I’m picking the fans to win.”

Xander Zayas, welterweight prospect
Fury by decision: “He will outbox Wilder and make the necessary adjustments. It will essentially be a repeat of the first fight, only more convincing.”

Larry Holmes, Hall of Famer
Wilder KO 7-8: “Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury in the seventh or eighth round if he does what I know that he can do, which is stay on the outside, use his jab, throw that right hand over the jab.”

Adam Kownacki, heavyweight contender
Wilder KO 7: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, and I think it’s going to be a knockout in Round 7. I think it will be a rematch similar to the one with Luis Ortiz, whom he stopped in the 10th round the first time and in the seventh round the second time.

“Wilder will be patient, wait for his opening, and then, he will deliver. I think Wilder lands the big right hand and that, this time, Fury doesn’t get up.”

Robert Garcia, trainer
Fury W 12: “I see Tyson Fury winning by a decision over Deontay Wilder. Unlike the first time, where he was knocked down twice, I believe that Fury will be fight more cautiously and that he’ll win a decision.”

Keith Thurman, former unified welterweight world champion
Wilder KO: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, who is one of the most dangerous punchers in boxing history. There’s something about the first time that you step into the ring with an opponent, the entire, ‘I’ve never seen you; you’ve never seen me before.’

“But the fact is, Wilder now knows the movement, the speed and the tactics that Tyson Fury has, but, of course, Fury has the ability to dance, move around and change it up. But as long as Wilder can keep up with and move with him, I believe that he will do what he does best.

“I believe that Wilder can end the fight at any moment, aiming that right hand straight down the pipe, which he just about did in the last fight. It’s a tremendous event. I missed the first one, but I’ll be present at this next one and another great heavyweight rivalry.”

Mikey Garcia, welterweight contender
Wilder KO 8: “I’ve got Deontay Wilder knocking out Tyson Fury in the eighth round. Wilder will be much more aggressive than he was in their first fight. Wilder will catch Fury with a big shot in the eighth round.”

Ruben Guerrero, trainer
Fury W 12: “Tyson Fury is much more focused going into this fight. He’s not partying like he was, and he didn’t go into camp out of shape. He’s gotten God-centered in his life now, so I’m picking Fury to win by decision over Deontay Wider.”

Jermall Charlo, middleweight titleholder
Wilder KO 10: “Deontay Wilder by knockout in the 10th over Tyson Fury. Deontay has to establish the jab early to get close, then crank right hands repeatedly.”

Chris Colbert, junior lightweight contender
Wilder KO 8: “I feel like Tyson Fury is less confident for this fight, and I think that Deontay Wilder is going to win by knockout. I would like to see Fury put up a helluva fight, but I don’t think that will happen this time.

“Wilder has more hunger to come back and to do better in his rematches, like he did against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz. I don’t think Fury goes any further than eight rounds this time.”

Paulie Malignaggi, former two-division titleholder
Fury W 12: “I feel like it’s going to be Tyson Fury on points, but it’s a fight between the two best fighters in the weight class.

“The onus is on Deontay Wilder to make the adjustments, whereas if Fury fights the same fight, odds are, he’s probably going to get the decision.

“I do think that Fury has to be careful with getting careless in spots, but Wilder can’t just fight believing that he can land one shot and get him out of there.

“Fury is a great boxer who can probably be better at avoiding the shot the second time around because he knows what he’s dealing with.”

David Benavidez, super middleweight titleholder
Wilder KO 11: “I think Deontay Wilder knocks out Tyson Fury in the 11th round, but I think it’s gonna be a close fight until that happens. Still, I think Wilder wins the fight.

“I think Tyson Fury will have a lot of success early, but that ultimately Wilder will catch him with that big right hand and knock him out.”

Andy Lee, former middleweight titleholder
Fury KO 2: “Tyson Fury can win this fight with Deontay Wilder in any way that he wants, whether by stoppage or knockout or accumulation of punishment on points.

“But the way that Fury’s looking in training, I will say that he wins by stoppage or knockout, and I’ll say he wins in Round No. 2.

“I’m a former Kronk Gym fighter, and he’s being trained by [Emanuel Steward’s nephew] SugarHill Steward, and you know what all of us Kronk Gym fighters want – knockouts.”

Anthony Dirrell, super middleweight contender
Wilder KO 8: “I am picking Deontay Wilder to win the rematch with Tyson Fury, and I think that it will happen in Round 8 or 9.”I just believe that Wilder will be better than he was in the last fight, and you can just look at his record in rematches against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz.”

Charles Martin, heavyweight contender
Wilder KO 8: “Deontay Wilder’s gonna win by knockout. I believe that Tyson Fury will be out-boxing Wilder for most of the rounds, but then, he will get stopped by that powerful right hand in the eighth.”

John Ryder, super middleweight contender
Fury KO: “I believe this fight will be a lot more explosive then the first. I believe Deontay Wilder will feel Tyson Fury can’t hurt him and will go for the KO very early and fade later in the fight. Tyson will get him out of there anywhere after the eighth round.”

Luis Ortiz, heavyweight contender
Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder will win a decision over Tyson Fury, who will be coming in respecting Wilder’s power and being wary of taking a shot based on all of the evidence of Wilder’s previous fights with me, and from their first fight.

“Looking at what Wilder was able to do with me during the championship rounds of our first fight and also much sooner than that in our second fight, he’s going to be worrying about taking a similar shot, otherwise, there’s a locomotive coming.”

Bermane Stiverne, heavyweight contender
Wilder KO: “I think Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury, it’s just a matter of when he lands the right hand or the left hook and finishes him off.

“Wilder’s power saved him in the last round against Fury the first time, but I think that now that Fury has tasted Wilder’s power, I think that has to be in the back of his mind.

“Whether it’s the first or the last round, just like Fury was doing well in the first fight, I think it’s going to be a knockout for Wilder.”

Tyson Fury contemplating retirement in near future

Tyson Fury says he will have nothing more to accomplish after he defeats Deontay Wilder in their rematch Saturday in Las Vegas.

Enjoy Tyson Fury while you can.

The 31-year-old lineal heavyweight champion says he has three fights left on his contract with ESPN after his rematch with Deontay Wilder on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on pay-per-view. After that, he suggested on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, he might never fight again.

“I have three fights left on me contract with ESPN,” he said on the show. “And after that, I will seriously think about walking away.”

He was asked why.

“Because I don’t need to fight anymore,” he said. “What is the point? What am  I going to gain from it? When I beat Wilder on Saturday, I’ll have completed the game. … I will have won every single belt there is to win in the game, from minor to major. And I’ll have won The Ring Magazine belt twice, becoming only the second man in history to do that, me and Muhammad Ali.

“So, yeah, nothing more to do at all. Even after this win on Saturday, there’s nothing more to do, nothing more to be gained, no ventures to ever do any more. I have to keep going because I have three fights left on me contract after this one. So [after that] I don’t think I’ll be bothering any more?”

Fury was then asked what he’d do in retirement.

“I’ll be a happy man, contented, just living my normal, my simple life,” he said. “Sometimes you get these fighters that want to live these extravagant lives, the boats, the planes, whatever else they want to do with their lives. Or they want to be prime minister or president.

“I have no interest. I want to be left alone, go to the school and back, have a coffee in the morning, go work out and that’s it. Go to bed, wake up and do exactly the same thing every day. I’m just a very, very simple man. You’ve heard the song “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd … haven’t you? That’s me. Very simple man.”

Tyson Fury dismisses notion that he has had problems in camp

Tyson Fury dismissed talk that there were difficulties in his Las Vegas camp for his rematch with Deontay Wilder on Saturday.

Tyson Fury says he has had no problems in preparing for the heavyweight rematch with Deontay Wilder Saturday on Fox/ESPN pay-per-view. His only problem is with anybody who says there was trouble in his training camp

Fury dismissed talk from promoter Eddie Hearn that there were difficulties in his Las Vegas camp for the fight at the MGM Grand.

Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, told U.K. media that he had changed his pick, from Fury to Wilder, because he had heard there were issues.

Nonsense, Fury says.

“I’m more dedicated for this fight than I’ve ever been,’’ Fury told Fight Hub TV.

There have been questions about whether Fury has had enough time to develop a working relationship with trainer SugarHill Steward, who he hired to succeed Ben Davison in mid-December.

Davison was in Fury’s corner for the controversial draw with Wilder about 15 months ago at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Davison was fired three months after Fury sustained a deep cut above his right eye in a surprisingly difficult decision over Otto Wallin on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.

“It was a great move,’’ Fury said of the decision to go with Steward, who named himself after his legendary uncle, Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward. “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and at the best timing as well.’

Fury already knew SugarHill Steward from his days at Steward’s Kronk Gym in Detroit in 2010. Fury said he and his new trainer were able to pick up where they left off.

‘I can’t prepare any better than I have for this fight,’’ Fury said. “There’s no more I can do. I’m getting to bed early, I’m waking up early. I’m eating all the right food, drinking tons of water. I’m having vitamins, I’m having minerals – everything that a fighter needs in order to be successful.

“I’ve got the right sparring partners. I’ve got tall guys, I’ve got powerful guys, I’ve got awkward guys. I’ve got one in, one out, I’ve got eight in a row. I’ve got the trainer in there. I’ve got my brothers. I’ve got my friends. I’ve got everything you could ever need. I’m happy in my own mind.’’

Video: Shawn Porter breaks down Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II

Shawn Porter said Tyson Fury is a better boxer than Deontay Wilder but added that Wilder will win their rematch by a knockout.

Shawn Porter, welterweight contender and television analyst, said that Tyson Fury has better boxing skills than Deontay Wilder. He added that it won’t matter.

Porter, breaking down the Wilder-Fury rematch on Feb. 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, acknowledged Wilder’s limitations on the technical side of the sport but believes his punching power will decide the fight.

“That’s what he does, he knocks guys out,” Porter said of Wilder. “You can’t count out his punching power. And I know when Deontay Wilder wins this fight, it will be because of a knockout.”

Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) has failed to knock out only two of his opponents, his first fights with Bermane Stiverne and Fury.

[jwplayer cPrW7MHt]

Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) survived two knockdowns to reach the final bell in December 2018. He belives he should’ve been awarded the victory but had to settle for a draw, which set up the rematch.

The Englishman has predicted that he will stop Wilder in two rounds.

 

Deontay Wilder says he’ll target area where Tyson Fury was cut

Deontay Wilder plans to target the scar tissue above Tyson Fury’s right eye from a deep wound he suffered against Otto Wallin on Sept. 14.

Deontay Wilder plans to finish what Otto Wallin started.

It’s a bloody job, but Wilder says he’ll do it in a heavyweight rematch Feb. 22 against Tyson Fury on Fox/ESPN pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

Wilder promised to target the scar tissue above Fury’s right eye from a deep wound he suffered in a decision Sept. 14 over Wallin, also in Las Vegas.

“I’ll be exploring the things that Wallin did,’’ Wilder said this week during a conference call. “I look forward to re-cutting open his eye. Once it’s open and blood is in his face, I might get some on me as well. That’s alright. I’ll embrace it. We’ll see if they keep the fight on, because I’m already dangerous.’’

Wilder believes that Fury’s fight with Wallin would have been stopped under ordinary circumstances. Fury suffered the cut in the third round. In a later round, he also was cut along the eyelid. He needed 47 stitches.

“He was saved because of this,’’ Wilder said of the rematch that had been rumored for months after their dramatic draw Dec. 1, 2018 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

If a punch from Wilder ruptures the scar, he says the ringside physician will have to make a decision.

“With that eye cut open again, and blood in his face, it’s up to the doctors to take protocol,’’ he said. “We already know my demeanor, my mannerisms, what I come to do. I don’t play around at all.”

Meanwhile, Wallin (20-1, 13 KO), a Swede, returns to Las Vegas on March 28 in his first bout since suffering his first loss against Fury. He faces Australian Lucas Browne (29-2, 25 KOs) on a Showtime-televised card featuring Mexican junior featherweights Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) vs. Aaron Alameda (25-0, 13 KOs) at the Park MGM.

Deontay Wilder convinced Tyson Fury nervous ahead of rematch

Deontay Wilder believes Tyson Fury is nervous because of the late knockdowns he suffered in their first fight.

Deontay Wilder hears the promises. He sees the changes. Tyson Fury is tireless, a whirlwind of talk and taunts, predictions and punch lines.

Fury has a new trainer. He says he has a plan to fight in a way that he never has. He says he will acquire power that he has never displayed. He soaks his hands in fuel. He is unconventional and often unbelievable.

But Wilder says he isn’t fooled.

Wilder sees a nervous man.

Nervous, Wilder says, about a rematch on Feb. 22 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand that will force Fury to again encounter power that dropped him twice 15 months ago.

“Deep down in his heart, I feel he’s nervous,’’ Wilder said Tuesday during a conference call for the Fox/ESPN pay-per-view rematch of their heavyweight draw Dec. 1, 2018 in Los Angeles. “I feel he’s very, very nervous from the first time. You knock a person out and give him a concussion, you never forget that.

“When you walk back into the ring a second time to relive that moment, it has to be stressful. You definitely can’t sleep at night.’’

Fury got up both times. He survived that power, especially in the 12th-round when he woke up and climbed back onto his feet with rare resilience.

“This time, he’s not getting up,’’ Wilder said. “I promise you that.’’

Fury, who believes he was robbed of victory on the scorecards in Los Angeles, goes into the rematch with SugarHill Steward in his corner instead of trainer Ben Davison. The change, one of many for Fury, was made because he says he wants to add punching power, especially to his right hand. Steward learned from his mentor and namesake Emanuel Steward, the late Hall of Famer who preached power was the best way to avoid a controversial decision.

But promised power suggests that Fury will be more aggressive, especially early. In fact, he predicted a second-round knockout of Wilder, whose right hand might be as powerful as any in history.

“I think it’s nervous energy from the first fight,’’ Wilder said. “He says he beat me. But he doesn’t really think that. He honestly doesn’t really believe that. That’s why he wants to change up a lot of things. If he really, really believes he beat me, he wouldn’t change so much. He changes trainers. Now, he’s putting his hands in gasoline to make them harder. He’s brought so many people into his camp. There’s so much going on it’s hard to keep up with all the changes.

“Next thing, he’s going to see a spiritual advisor to ease his mind about what’s going to happen to him and his body come Feb. 22.’’

Punching power doesn’t come from a spiritual advisor. A few weeks in the gym with a new trainer won’t produce it either, says Wilder, who was born with it.

“I’ve said it before, he has ‘pillow-esque’ fists,’’ he said. “That’s how soft they are. Maybe my adrenalin was too high. But I didn’t feel anything. Even after the fight, I didn’t feel anything. I took all his punches, the ones that he landed. Walked through them. I don’t respect none of the power he has. He’s just a tall big man who can move around the ring.

“As far as power, it’s not there.’

Tyson Fury admits cut will be question mark in fight with Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury admitted he can’t judge how much risk he faces against Deontay Wilder as a result of the cut he suffered against Otto Wallin.

The bloody question persists.

Tyson Fury knows it’s coming. Only Deontay Wilder will deliver the answer on Feb. 22 in a Fox/ESPN pay-per-view rematch. The cut above Fury’s right eye has been healing for nearly five months since he needed 47 stitches for a wound sustained on Sept. 14 in a decision over Otto Wallin.

A month ago, he told Boxing Junkie that the eye was a risk. A week ago, he told Sky Sports that he couldn’t judge how much of risk it would be when the first blow lands two weeks from now.

“The eye is doing well,” Fury said. “The eye is healed up quite well. Is there any risk? I don’t know because I am not a surgeon. I am sure there will be. There is nothing much I can do about that.

“If it opens, up it opens up. It’s out of my control. There is nothing I can do about that eye opening in a fight.”

It’s not clear if Fury has a tactical plan to account for the risk. It’s not clear if there is one. He’s been working with new trainer SugarHill Steward in an attempt to add power to his punches, especially his right hand. He has talked about an early end to the heavyweight fight, predicting a knockout of Wilder within two rounds. It’s hard to know what will happen, but it’s safe to assume that Wilder will target that scar.

“Most definitely,’’ Wilder said. “I mean, that’s what you do. “I will absolutely be using that cut as a target, and I am definitely going to open it up again. I will make sure I open that one up and I’ll make sure I open a new one up, too.

“It’s going to be a bloody night for him, and all I can say to him is: ‘Buddy rest up.’ You’re going to need it, it’s going to be a long and painful night.”

 

Tyson Fury won’t risk opening cut in training camp

Deontay Wilder believes he’s best African-American boxer

Deontay Wilder says self belief if a lot more important than the opinion of outsiders.

Deontay Wilder the best African-American fighter?

Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter and a few others might have something to say about that notion. But, as Wilder said, you gotta believe in yourself.

Wilder is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Tyson Fury in a rematch on Feb. 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Fox/ESPN pay-per-view.

“In my opinion, I will say yes. It’s me,” Wilder told BoxingScene.com, referring to the No. 1  position among African-Americans. “I believe in myself, strongly. While I’m in the heavyweight champion of the world, I display this to people. I lead by example. … This is going to be an amazing time for me because it’s Black History Month. After this fight with Fury, I’m going to make him a Black History trivia question.

“This fight means so much to me. I’m appreciative of the opposition in front of me. I’m big on my people, as everyone should be for theirs. You have to love your own.”

Wilder went on: “If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you allow anyone else … if you don’t believe things are real, how can you have the motivation to do anything? … We get discouraged in our own self because we worry about what others will say. How do you know? Who are you to say it? I’m going to do what my capabilities are. Have you put in the work? Have you sacrificed?

“We get discouraged as people because of our peers’ opinions. When you get involved with other people’s opinions, then you are going to stray from the game plan. … Many people will say respect is earned, and I’ve done my fair share of earning that.”

 

Number of eyes on Wilder-Fury II Super Bowl promos astronomical

An estimated 103.5 million people saw the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II Super Bowl promo at 8:02 p.m. ET.

A Fox spokesperson provided specifics on the number of  people who saw the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II promos during the Super Bowl LIV telecast last Sunday.

And they’re eye-popping.

Here is the estimated viewership for each spot – including Wilder’s appearance on the pre-game show – that was aired just before and during the game (all times ET):

12:56 p.m. – 3.1 million viewers
1:50 p.m. – 4.9 million
3:10 p.m. – 9.3 million
3:45 p.m. – 9.6 million
4:45 p.m. – 16.6 million
5:50 p.m. – 33.4 million
6:10 p.m. – 49.6 million
8:02 p.m. – 103.5 million
8:37 p.m. 101.0 million

To put that in perspective, consider:

  • According to Fox, the total number of viewers of boxing shows for 2019 was 35.7 million.
  • The promos generated 331million impressions throughout the day. The U.S. population is 332,639,102, according to the CIA’s The World Factbook.
  • The 8:02 p.m. figure – 103.5 million – is roughly four times higher than the average audience figure (26.5 million) for the Fox-televised Mike Tyson-Buster Mathis fight in 1995.

According to Fox, 148.5 million people watched at least part of the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20.

The Wilder-Fox fight will take place Feb. 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Fox/ESPN pay-per-view.

Good, bad, worse: Wilder-Fury was one winner on Super Bowl Sunday

Tyson Fury expects to weigh 270 pounds for Deontay Wilder rematch

Tyson Fury expects to be nearly 14 pounds heavier for his rematch with Deontay Wilder than he was for their controversial draw in 2018.

Tyson Fury and his new trainer, SugarHill Steward, continue to say the plan is to knock out Deontay Wilder in their rematch on Feb. 22. Now, Fury has added several reasons to suggest he’s serious.

Fury expects to be nearly 14 pounds heavier for the Fox/ESPN pay-per-view bout than he was for the controversial draw with Wilder about 14 months ago at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Fury told the Bart And Hahn Show, an ESPN talk show in New York, Wednesday that he is currently at 270 pounds. He said he expects to be at that weight at opening bell.

He also posted a photo of himself on Instagram, looking fit and fight-ready. “Solid as a rock 19 stone, 270lbs coming for @bronzebomber,” he says.

For the first fight, Fury was at 256½, or 13½ pounds lighter than his projected weight for the rematch at Las Vegas MGM Grand. The additional pounds might be a sign he is trying to augment his power.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8IN_FTpqZY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading&#8221

He predicted at the first formal news conference last month for Fury-Wilder II that he would score a second-round knockout of Wilder. That one generated some predictable skepticism, straight out of Fury-being-Fury. He says a lot of things. Why would he try to counter Wilder’s singular power with power he has never shown? He’s a boxer who was ahead on the scorecards before Wilder knocked him down twice, first in the ninth round and again in the 12th.

Why not just do for 12 rounds what had worked so well for eight? Stay away and win a decision. That, at least, is the conventional wisdom. But Fury is anything but conventional. He said he fired trainer Ben Davison and hired Steward because he wants more power in his right hand. Steward’s mentor and namesake is the late Emanuel Steward, who taught power, first and foremost.

Fury, who says he was robbed in the first fight, has already said he doesn’t believe he can win a decision in the United States.

“He doesn’t want that again,’’ SugarHill Steward told iFL TV. “I don’t want it. I wasn’t raised that way. Emanuel always taught me: ‘Get the knockout.’

“That’s the only 100 percent way you know you won the fight, by taking it out of the hands of the judges. I thought Tyson did enough to win the fight, even though he was knocked down twice. I’m not mad at the decision, because I was always taught: ‘Don’t leave it in the hands of the judges.’‘’