At this point, it’s the only question worth asking: Who will win Saturday night’s heavyweight world title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at Staples Center in Los Angeles? Our experts make their picks.
Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Wilder by KO
Fury is bigger than Wilder, has quick hands, quick feet and is a good boxer with an awkward style that can make anyone look bad. But Wilder can end a fight at any moment with his massive power. He could be down on the cards and win in the blink of an eye. Wilder by late knockout.
Nick Parkinson
ESPN UK
Wilder by KO10
Fury has done a remarkable job to get into fighting shape again after 2½ years in exile due to problems with alcohol, drugs and depression, during which time he also served a backdated doping ban. He has registered two easy wins on the comeback trail and looks in good shape, but his conditioning after so long out is a concern in the latter rounds, when he will become vulnerable to one of Wilder’s wild and big swings.
Tony Bellew
Former cruiserweight titlist
Wilder by decision
I really, genuinely hope I’m wrong, but I fear the layoff will affect Fury. I hope Fury wins — it will be the best thing for British boxing, him defeating the monster Wilder. But I think the stint away from the game will come back to haunt him.
Juan Manuel Marquez
ESPN Deportes/Golpe a Golpe
Wilder by decision
Wilder will win because he has more power, throws better combinations, and more importantly, he has the advantage on physical conditioning, and that is paramount for these kind of fights.
Teddy Atlas
ESPN TV
Wilder by KO
Fury will get out to a lead keeping Wilder off balance by using his legs, but his inactivity will hurt him as he gets into the late rounds, allowing Wilder an opportunity to do the one thing he does well: land the right hand and yell timber as the giant falls.
Nigel Collins
ESPN.com
Wilder by KO
Fury can outbox Wilder and make him look bad, but can he go 12 rounds without getting tagged with one of Deontay’s blockbusters? I say no. Wilder by late-round KO.
Mark Kriegel
ESPN TV
Wilder by TKO 10
Fury isn’t merely six-nine, with an 85-inch reach. He’s the best pure boxer Wilder has ever faced. And he’s got a plan. Just as he moved away from Klitschko’s power, so will he move away from Wilder’s. As he moves right, he sees himself breaking an angle for his own overhand right. But Wilder himself is so unorthodox and so powerful as to render the best plans moot. With Wilder, it only takes one shot. And after being outboxed for the better part of 9 rounds, he’ll get it.
Steve Kim
ESPN.com
Fury by decision
I’ll be going against the grain and go with my initial instincts on this matchup by tabbing Fury to win a unanimous decision. He looks to be in much better shape than his previous bouts, and that will be key, as he will need to be in great physical condition and have his legs to box Wilder. Which I think he will do effectively enough to win a decision.
Eric Raskin
HBO Boxing
Wilder by decision
It’s impossible to know what we’re going to get from Fury, but my hunch is that he’ll be in good enough shape to withstand Wilder’s power, frustrate him with his awkwardness and last the distance, but not get enough done offensively to have a case for winning many rounds. Wilder has some of the worst technique seen in the upper echelons of the heavyweight divisions in generations, but his heavy hands, youthful energy and desire should make up for that against Fury, just as they have against all of his other opponents so far.
Joe Cortez
ESPN Deportes
Wilder by KO8
Fury has been inactive for a long time, and he will come in rusty since he hasn’t fought against solid opposition for the past three years. Wilder comes in with a record of 40-0 with 39 big knockouts. It will be difficult for Fury to do any damage.
Charles Moynihan
ESPN Bureau Producer
Wilder by TKO 9
Wilder has electricity in his hands — arguably the hardest puncher in boxing. And while Fury has good lateral movement for a man of his stature, at 6-foot-9 he is an inviting target. Wilder will chop the tree down round by round and win via TKO.
Mike Tyson
Former heavyweight champion
Although Wilder’s punch is strong, nothing can compare to the mental strength Fury has shown both in and out of the ring. It’ll be a close call, but I think Fury’s got a true fighting chance.
Evander Holyfield
Former heavyweight champion
It’s a great fight. Fury’s got a lot of skills, he’s awkward and he has long arms. He has good reflexes and is a strong counter-puncher. Deontay needs to be first and he can’t wait on Tyson. Tyson’s always been the bigger fighter. In fighting Deontay it’s the same case. If things get difficult, he’s (Fury) got more experience and a lot of tricks. I think with Deontay’s power, he might be able to end it early, but if Tyson can frustrate him and it goes the distance, then it could go his way.”
Lennox Lewis
Former heavyweight champion
If it goes the distance then it belongs to Fury. If it’s a short fight it will belong to Wilder. This is an epic and most-unpredictable showdown. I can’t wait for this fight.
George Foreman
Former heavyweight champion
Wilder by decision
I am a big fan of Wilder and I was impressed with Fury and how he avoided the big shots against Wladimir Klitschko. I can see him going 12 rounds with Wilder because of his height and reach. The great thing about this fight is that we’re all talking about it. I think Wilder wins a close decision.
Riddick Bowe
Former heavyweight champion
Wilder by KO
If Wilder comes out and means business then he should beat Fury with ease. My prediction is Wilder by knockout.
Gerry Cooney
Former heavyweight title contender
Wilder by KO
Wilder vs. Fury is a very interesting fight. I love Fury. I think he’s a remarkable self-promoter, and he did a great job with Wladimir Klitschko, using his feints and throwing Klitschko off his game plan. Deontay is a different kind of fighter, though. Fury fights at 30 miles per hour. Deontay fights at 100 miles per hour. So, when Deontay catches Fury and gets ahold of him I think it’s going to be over. I admire Fury, but I think he’s barking up the wrong tree with this fight. I think the bottom line is that Deontay is a whole different type of beast. He comes in aggressive and finishes his opponents. I hate to pick, but somebody has to lose. I’m picking Deontay by knockout and I think it ends inside of four or five rounds.
Luis “King Kong” Ortiz
Heavyweight title contender
Wilder by KO
If Fury decides he wants to dip and dive and move, then he can extend the fight. But it’s all up to Wilder. If Fury decides he wants to come to the middle of the ring and fight, then it’s going to be over quick. Wilder is going to catch him.
Chris Arreola
Former heavyweight title contender
Wilder to win
I think Wilder fighting Ortiz and now Fury back-to-back gives the fans exciting fights. I like both Wilder and Fury, but for this fight I am leaning slightly toward Wilder to win.
Salvador Rodriguez
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by decision
I don’t doubt Fury’s ability to have Wilder in trouble, and he will even be able to get him out of his fight plan a couple of times, but I think Wilder’s power and punching ability will allow him to win a close and entertaining fight, although I don’t think Wilder can score a KO win.
Claudia Trejos
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by KO
I believe we will see a much more experienced, wiser, Wilder in this fight. He knows the perils of facing a powerful, experienced boxer like Luis Ortiz and now Wilder will use his unconventional style to attack Fury, who by the way, is looking his best. Wilder knows it is dangerous to take this fight to the last bell, so he will be looking to finish it early.
Bernardo Pilatti
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by KO
Fury has surprised everyone with his physical shape, but in the ring he has shown little. Wilder has better attributes, a unique destructive power that he will use to finish the fight early.
Delvin Rodriguez
ESPN Deportes
Wilder by KO
Fury is going to be moving well the first seven rounds. After that, Wilder’s long jab and straight right hand will get to him and hurt him.
Jorge Eduardo Sanchez
ESPN Deportes
Fury by decision
Wilder is the favorite, he fights at home in the U.S. and has the ability to change the fight with a single blow. He is an automatic-knockout artist, but he has not run into a fighter with the mobility, defense and intelligence of Fury. I think Fury can win. Wilder is very disorganized in his attack — he opens up too much and Fury will take advantage of that.
Pablo Viruega
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Wilder by TKO
Two boxers with very powerful hands and speed. You could say they are two very close fighters, although Wilder’s power and Fury’s lack of activity, as well as the opponents he has faced, which are not big names, make Wilder the favorite.