Tyson Fury will finally face Deontay Wilder for a third time this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) puts his WBC heavyweight crown on the line against former long-reigning titlist, Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK, with FOX and ESPN+ picking up the pay-per-view rights in the USA.
‘The Gypsy King’ had seemingly signed and sealed a meeting for the undisputed title against Anthony Joshua, but Wilder and his legal team vetoed that plan, and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ will now attempt to regain the belt that he sensationally shipped to the Englishman in February 2020.
Fury had the world at his feet when he took the WBA ‘super’, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns from Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, but a battle with depression and a large increase in weight left him without motivation to fight.
He returned in June 2018 after an incredible weight loss, and, after two comeback wins, he challenged Wilder for the WBC title in December of the same year.
Fury was floored in the ninth and out for the count in the final round, but he incredibly survived, and still looked like he had done enough to take a decision win, but had to settle for a split decision draw.
Wins over Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin gave Fury the sharpness to take a rematch with Wilder, and this time, Fury turned in a masterclass, dominating in a stunning seventh round stoppage win.
Wilder’s response to his team throwing the towel in was to part ways with trainer, Mark Breland, and Malik Scott has now been drafted in.
Wilder had made ten successful defences of his WBC belt that he won from Bermane Stiverne in January 2015 prior to his defeat to Fury, and the 2008 Olympic Bronze Medallist certainly looked vulnerable in what was his first professional setback.
It’s difficult to see what changes the Alabama man has made that can aid him in turning the tables on ‘The Gypsy King’.
Prediction: I can’t see Wilder making the adjustments necessary to correct his horror show performance in the original rematch, and, although he may perform better than that fateful night, I still think Fury can force a late stoppage, with possibly the doctor or referee coming to Wilder’s rescue.
Helenius-Kownacki rematch
There is plenty of heavyweight action on the bill, and Adam Kownacki attempts to avenge his March 2020 fourth round stoppage defeat to Robert Helenius, and the pair rematch over a scheduled twelve.
Kownacki (20-1, 15 KOs) was highly-touted before his original meeting with Finland’s Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs), and was ahead on all cards before being dramatically stopped.
Prediction: If he can get past halfway here, he can gain redemption with a controlled points win.
Sanchez battles Ajagba
A battle of unbeaten big men sees Cuba’s Frank Sanchez (18-0, 13 KOs) defend his WBC Continental Americas and WBO NABO heavyweight titles against Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba (15-0, 12 KOs). The fight is set for ten rounds.
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Prediction: Both are big punchers, but are yet to make a big step-up, and I think Sanchez’s extra seasoning can see him take a late stoppage win.
Berlanga returns
Super middleweight knockout artist, Edgar Berlanga, saw his perfect first round knockout record end in his last fight, an eight round decision win against Demond Nicholson, and he contests the vacant WBO NABO title over ten here against Marcelo Esteban Coceres.
It’s a decent test for Berlanga (17-0, 16 KOs), as Coceres (30-2-1, 16 KOs) gave Billy Joe Saunders all he could handle before suffering an eleventh round knockout loss in a WBO title bid in November 2019.
Prediction: Berlanga may need all ten rounds to take a decision win in this one.
Williams, Ramirez, Anderson on undercard
Julian Williams (27-2-1, KO16) returns from losing his super welterweight world titles against Jeison Rosario, and he should be able to see off Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez (12-4, KO6) inside schedule in their ten rounder.
All smiles. It’s fight week! #ElTrenRamirez🚂 #FuryWilder3 pic.twitter.com/fa5vPaBRsB
— Robeisy Ramírez Carrazana (@RobeisyR) October 6, 2021
Robeisy Ramirez (7-1, 4 KOs) is in action, and the Cuban should be able to take a win on the cards against Puerto Rico’s Orlando Gonzalez Ruiz (17-0, 10 KOs) in their ten round featherweight encounter.
More heavyweight prospects see action, and Jared Anderson (9-0, 9 KOs) should notch another knockout win against Vladimir Tereshkin (22-0-1, 12 KOs), a Russian with a very deceiving record.
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Ukraine’s Viktor Vykhryst (7-0, 5 KOs) can also win early against Mike Marshall (6-1-1, 4 KOs).
