I've been rather bitter about Wilder VS Fury

Tyson Fury has been living a Hollywood comeback story, indeed fit for the silver screen. If this were already a film, going into this fight would be the big finale. Our cheeky hero has battled depression, weight loss and has even found his boxing mojo again. Now all is left is to beat the big bad Bronze Bomber. A different fight compared to Klitschko, maybe too much for so early in the comeback? It’s just too hard to not be invested.

Deontay while being different in boxing style to Tyson is similar in how he is perceived, tall and awkward. Where people doubted if Tyson still had the magic that made him world champion, people questioned if Wilder could cut it against a top ranked contender. Both boxers had a lot to prove going into this bout. Neither could afford to lose.

It is safe to say the fight was a fantastic on many levels. The fighters highlighted why they are dangerous and the cream of the crop in the heavyweight division. Fury was slick and awkward, with his jerky style proving troublesome for a majority of the fight. Of course Wilder in a split second was able to knock his opponent down.

Fury was knocked down twice, in rounds 9 and 12. Both times he picked himself back up and brought the fight to Wilder. Wilder I believe was shocked, particularly after the second knockdown. He’s not used to his opponents getting back up let alone bringing the fight to him. While the knockdowns were impressive the fight belonged to Fury.

I don’t think anyone expected Fury to be as sharp and on point as he was here. By the midway point in the fight I had 5-1 in his favour, with a close second round given to Wilder. The general consensus from pundits and ringside commentary was similar if not a complete 6-0 wash out. It was the first time Wilder didn’t have the height or reach advantage over an opponent and it was clear he wasn’t enjoying it. Fury kept him flustered and constantly missing the target. All Wilder seemed to want to do is land his big punch. Fury with his style emphasised the issues with Wilder’s own; he relies far too heavily on his power. Wilder is a victim of his own dominance, he started boxing when he was 18 and now at 33 the bad habits are being proven to be fatal. His footwork and inside game were lacking and his seemed to have no ability to switch up and adapt to Fury.

What is it about Fury’s style that seems to befuddle his opponents? When I first heard the name “Tyson Fury” and saw the undefeated record and the height on paper, I imagined a monster of a man, destroying anyone who is unlucky enough to be put in front of him. Instead he is a cheeky, lanky sod who makes sure he is using every bit of his height and reach advantage to outbox and maneuver opponents. He isn’t fighting, hunting for KO like Wilder, he is boxing, doing just enough to secure rounds, land combinations and get out. We saw that here, particularly in round 7 and 10 where Fury landed crisp combinations and then gets out and plays defence. He took away Wilder’s weapon(s) and confidence. Mostly.

Round 12 is already a legendary round in boxing history. Before it began though Fury’s young coach Ben Davidson gave Tyson a clear warning that Wilder was going to live up to his name and get wild. Encouraging Tyson to tie up Wilder, to not enjoy making him miss so much. Sure enough though Tyson switched off for a split second and all that hard work put in over the last year seemed all for nothing. He looked dead for five seconds, but then got up like he was late for work. Not only did he survive the remainder of the round but ended up with the momentum in his favour, incredible. The night belonged to Tyson Fury and it seemed so did the victory.

When the final bell rang Tyson and his team were in celebration while Wilder seemed completely dismayed, maybe shock that Tyson somehow got up from his signature punch or just disappointed that he didn’t get the job done. He seemed to know he had lost.

After watching the fight now three times. Once live, then again to check my own scoring and then once more to specifically to be bias for Wilder, I still can’t find enough points to make him draw let alone win. 115-111 to Fury, Rounds 2, 9 and 12 belong to Wilder and the rest was a pure boxing master class by Mr Fury.

Still though, that bitterness sits strong within me. I remind myself that a rematch will happen, as it would have if Tyson were given the official win. I believe Tyson will be even stronger when he meets Wilder again. Even though Wilder’s style almost delivered him a win, this fight overall proved he needs do something different next time around. Even if at this point in his career he can apply the much-needed changes, I can’t see him coming away with a win.

As a Fury or Wilder fan I’m sure the result was disappointing, but as a fight fan it couldn’t have been better. Both kings keep their crowns and the fight has shined an even brighter spotlight on the heavyweight division. Joshua, Wilder and Fury are the three kings of the division and now there is a good chance we will get to see the fights we want.

Firstly though, lets get this rematch in.

I’m not sure what my overall point was with this, other than so I can just throw my own thoughts into the abyss, and just stop thinking about this fight.

Thanks