Goliaths will Collide when Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder Clash again for Supremacy

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

It was December 1st, 2018 and Christmas came early for fight fans. The Staples Center in Los Angeles played host to one of the most thrilling heavyweight championship fights in recent history as the WBC World Heavyweight Champion, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and unbeaten lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury went toe to toe in an instant classic that ended via split draw after Fury astoundingly rose from a 12th round knockdown to finish the fight. That night in LA the first fight between Wilder and Fury became something out of a storybook and that 12th round knockdown went on to become one of the most memorable moments in boxing history. Now on February 22nd the two undefeated champions will take their war of words back into the ring and look to become arguably the best heavyweight in the world. “I knocked him out the first time we fought. I told him two years ago I was going to baptize him. Rising up is part of the baptism. But this a different story. This is unfinished business.” Stated the WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) when the heavyweight rivals went face to face Saturday night at a press conference in Los Angeles at the Fox studios. “I am blessed with power. It’s his job to stay away. Like I’ve said in the past, You have to be perfect for 36 minutes and I only have to be perfect for 2 seconds and that’s how it’s worked till this date”

Wilder speaks to the press in Los Angeles, Photo by Cynthia Saldaña

Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) understands the power of his opponent first hand as Wilder knocked him down twice in their first fight including once in the final round when Fury dramatically survived Wilder’s heavy hands. “It doesn’t matter if you win 11 and a half rounds against Wilder with 30 seconds left because he can KO anybody. He is a much bigger one-punch knockout artist than me. But nobody can match me with heart and determination. I will put my iron will on Wilder. I’m not afraid to go mano a mano with the biggest puncher in heavyweight boxing.” Stated the Lineal Champion Fury during the press conference. Fury also stuck to his promise and again insisted he would beat Wilder inside two rounds: “I stand by that wholeheartedly. In the first fight, I used my boxing skills and it didn’t work. I didn’t win. I’m about winning. We’re giant heavyweights and I’ve had 20 knockouts in 29 victories. I’m very capable of knocking people out. When you underestimate someone’s power, you come unstuck. When I get him in there again, I’m going to make him feel the fury. I’ve never been as sure of anything in my whole life. As sure as I was this morning putting this suit on. 100 percent he can’t win He’s got a puncher’s chance like anyone else. I’m much sharper and more fit now. I’m ready to rumble right now. I hope he trains hard and goes to bed thinking about me.” Wilder, however, claimed he never felt any of Fury’s punches in their first match-up. “I think Tyson has pillows as fists. He has skill but you can’t have it all. But I don’t know what he will do. He’s crazy, man. If he believes in it, I must take his word for it. But it’s different when you step in the ring. I’m the biggest puncher in boxing history”

Tyson Fury walks into the Fox Studios in Los Angeles, Photo by Cynthia Saldaña

Since the first fight Fury has replaced his long-time trainer Ben Davison with new trainer, Sugar Hill Steward, nephew of Emanuel Steward and has brought on hall of fame cut-man, Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran to help with any issues having suffered a horrendous gash in his last fight against Otto Wallin which required 47 stitches and plastic surgery. “The heavyweight division is still the biggest and most powerful division in boxing. It always will be.” Stated Steward “Everyone wants to see the fighters throwing the big blows. Wilder is one of the hardest hitters in history and Tyson is one of the best boxers. I’m happy to be training. with Tyson Fury. It’s been about 10 years since we trained together. He trained with me and Emanuel Steward and I’m here to complete what Emmanuel started.”