By Abbas Dadhiwala: Tyson Fury’s seven-round thrashing of Deontay Wilder in their rematch on Saturday, proved what many felt in the boxing world that the ‘Gypsy King’ is the number one heavyweight in the country.
Fury landed 82 total punches with 58 power shots, that put down Wilder twice in the fight, whilst Wilder only landed 34 shots. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ hit Fury with a big right hand in the first round and Fury didn’t move with the extra weight helping him balance and take that shot and ride it.
This was a hugely one-sided fight, with the shot that cut Wilder’s ear affecting his equilibrium. The last fight ended in a draw as Fury was more cagey and let Wilder come onto him and attack, whilst this time it was the reverse and Fury was the aggressor.
Saturday night’s rematch attracted a capacity crowd of 15,816 to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and the $16 million in ticket revenue was the most for a heavyweight bout in Nevada. Both Wilders’ TV network Fox and Fury’s’ network ESPN combined to promote the fight, ads were on at the super bowl and in downtown Manhattan. Bob Arum expects this to reach 2 million PPV buys, which seem far-fetched but both networks are confident of a resounding success in terms of revenue generated.
The pair have a rematch clause which will set up the trilogy fight between them and Fury expects his rival to invoke it, and has called for it to take place in the Allegiant Stadium. “I expect he will want a rematch and I will have that,” Fury told BT Sport’s, Steve Bunce.
“Great fights should have trilogies. And I want it here, just across the road, at the Raiders Stadium outdoors in front of 70,000.”
Both Wilder, and Fury, were guaranteed a reported $28 million each for Saturday’s fight plus some PPV revenue. This shows when promoters get together what could be potentially achieved
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn was an all British mega-fight in the summer between Anthony Joshua and the ‘Gypsy King’ and tweeted the same on Saturday after the fight. But with Wilder having a chance to invoke the trilogy clause and AJ fighting IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev this doesn’t seem likely. AJ also has his WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk fight to contend with so a 2021 fight seems more likely, with Wembley Stadium and Saudi Arabia front runners to host the fight.
A Fury – Joshua fight could threaten PPV records and also crown a universally recognized undisputed heavyweight champion. This is the reason why Pulev may be paid off to stand aside and let the fight take place this year. All the belts are now in England which has seen a huge resurgence in fans following boxing.
The crowd on Saturday night was pro-Fury, the fans were singing songs and the “easy” chant went up numerous times as Fury manhandled and dismantled Wilder. The Brits easily out-sung their American counterparts.
Wilder may exercise his rematch clause with his trainer Jay Deas saying “I think the public will want it.”
Fury promised he would stop Wilder and that’s what he did. Fury came in heavier at 273 pounds, which was 42 pounds heavier than Wilder. He then went to work in a near-perfect boxing masterclass, with impeccable timing. Fury landed his jab at ease which helped him set up his power shots as the 2 knockdowns showed. Fury bullied Wilder with headlocks and pushing down on his neck, all this sapped Wilder’s strength. And in round 7 with Fury landing at will, Wilder’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel.
Wilder wanted to go out on his shield, but it was the correct decision by the assistant coach Mark Breland to pull Wilder out, as Wilder was struggling to get his hands up to defend himself.
Wilder was rushed to the hospital after the fight.
Fury who said after the fight he felt he had over-trained in his last with Otto Wallin employed a new coach in Sugar Hill Steward from the famous Kronk Gym. It was him that gave Fury the belief that he could stop Wilder and that game plan was followed to a T. Fury led the crowd in a sing-song and even had his Top Rank Boxing promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren singing, which was a sight to behold. The king has been crowned and back on his throne and I for one can’t see any boxer dethroning him