Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury 2 Preview - Betting Odds & Tips

Colm Phelan

February 4th, 2020

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Quick Tips (click to bet):

• Tyson Fury to win via Decision or Technical Decision - 13/8 with Bet365
• Deontay Wilder to win via KO/TKO in Round 12 - 40/1 with Betfair
• Deontay Wilder to win in Round 9-12 - 7/1 with Coral

Two fighters who are largely to thank for the rejuvenation of the heavyweight boxing scene will square off on Saturday, February 22 in what is one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the calendar year.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury played out one of the more exhilarating draws in recent memory last time out in somewhat controversial circumstances depending on which camp you're invested in. However, the pair are looking to put it all on the line once again at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - and the boxing enthusiasts around the globe are awaiting the first bell with great anticipation.

As with all titanic clashes of this nature, the top boxing bookmakers can barely pick these two apart. Wilder opened as a slight favourite at 4/5 generally before the market has shifted towards Tyson Fury who is now best priced at 19/20 with Unibet.

However, Wilder was just recently reinstated as the bookies choice, with Ladbrokes pricing the Alabama native at 10/11 to have his hand raised. Naturally, Fury has been subject to a slight drift with Unibet now going EVENS about a win for the UK.

Another draw is deemed unlikely at 20/1 with Betway, although boxing fans and punters would surely enjoy sinking their teeth into the trilogy which would be almost guaranteed if that was the outcome. Either way, the loser can exercise a rematch clause to spark deliberations into a third bout.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the odds for Wilder vs Fury 2 and see if we can find any value in the betting. It’s an extremely tough fight to call given both men are undefeated, and it’s unlikely to be one-way traffic on the night. Nonetheless, there are some bets which make more sense to follow.

Fresh Fury Prepared for War

The Gypsy King has fought twice since the pair first went toe-to-toe - emerging victorious in both scraps. They didn’t come without damage, however. After dismantling the German Tom Schwarz, Fury came across Otto Wallin who took him the entire distance and left him with a nasty cut above his eye - one so deep it almost ended the fight and a wound Wilder will surely look to penetrate.

There’s no doubt Fury is the more schooled boxer of the two. A glittering amateur and professional career where he time and time again proved his immense skill, highlighted by his win over Vladamir Klitschko, has left no doubt over the Manchester man’s ability.

The first meeting was Fury’s first real test after three years out of the ring where he ballooned to over 300 pounds. Despite his hiatus from the ring many believed he out-boxed Wilder and was unlucky not to win, despite seeming down and out in the dying embers. With that fight under his belt, plus two more, I expect Fury to be a better version of himself having shaken off what should be the vast majority of the inevitable ring rust that accompanies a layoff of that magnitude.

He looks in tremendous shape, far more so than when they first met back in December 2018, and I believe he will be able to manage the fight better this time. For a 6’9 giant, Fury’s footwork can be mesmerising, and he has an uncanny ability to slip and slide almost any onslaught of punches.

His defense, in that respect, is his strong point. Wilder only landed 17% of his punches last time, a testament to his cat-like reflexes. He is not known for his knockout power, so don’t expect him to put Wilder on the canvas.

If Fury is to win you would imagine it’s going the distance, which is where the value lies if you plan on backing him. The 13/8 available with Bet365 for Fury via decision or technical decision represents good value - I just don’t see any other outcome where his hand is raised.

The Case For the Bronze Bomber

Wilder is one of the most feared heavyweights in the game, and with good reason. The Bronze Bomber, 34, has an incredible 95% knockout rate, ending 41 of his 43 fights before the final bell.

He possesses unique punching power - dubbed the 'touch of death' by some boxing analysts - that more than makes up for where he lacks in other areas. Although he fights with an orthodox stance he is unorthodox in style. It’s perhaps what makes him so dangerous, and he presents a paradox to opponents who must respect his power and deal with the unconventional nature in which it is applied.

If he is to win then predicting Wilder’s method of victory should, by all accounts, be easy given the fact he’s made a career out of being a knockout specialist. He sent Fury to the canvas twice went they first locked horns only for Fury to make the count, just.

"We seen what he could do, what he was able to do, especially with that get-up," said Wilder in the aftermath.

"That still surprises me. I seen this guy’s eyes roll slowly in the back of his head. And many people felt that should’ve been waved off. Nine out of 10 refs would’ve waved that off."

Given Fury’s boxing IQ and slick nature, it’s hard to see him getting clipped early, and even if he does he’s shown he can shake off a brutal knockdown. Value in a Wilder win lies in the group round betting, particularly the 9-12 market. Wilder to win in these rounds can be backed at 7/1 best price with Coral.

Will Wilder vs Fury 2 go the distance?

When you take into account neither of these fighters has ever lost, another intriguing option is to bet on whether the fight will go the distance. As it stands, Paddy Power have priced it at 5/4 that this bout goes all the way to the final bell.

Fury will look to outbox Wilder as opposed to going for the kill, and he has enough in his defensive locker to maneuver his way around the ring for 36 minutes without getting tagged - and again, even if he does he’s shown he can get back to his feet.

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"How I got back up, I really don't know," Fury said on the 12th round knockdown from their first fight.

"I was sound asleep on the floor. All of a sudden, I opened my eyes and I jumped up."

40/1 Outside Chances

For anyone planning on watching the fight who wants to have a bet, but doesn’t fancy shorter prices, then taking a look at the round betting is an appealing and exciting option and offers far bigger odds than outright win markets - but you'll have to put all your faith in "Thor’s Hammer".

For this option, I’m not going to recommend betting Fury as I just don’t think he has the capability to finish Wilder early and as I’ve mentioned, I think the Gypsy King to win via decision or technical decision presents the best value.

However, two separate bets at Wilder to win in either Round 1 or Round 12 are enticing options at 40/1 each with Betfair, albeit they are unlikely outcomes as the odds suggest. Wilder is probably the only fighter on the planet, with the exception of Anthony Joshua, who could put Fury to sleep inside the first round.

And could Wilder finish the job in the dying minutes like he almost did last time out? At 40/1, I’m happy to take the chance that lightning could strike twice and Wilder will put Fury on the canvas in Round 12, but this time he won’t get up.