Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury

Staples Center, Los Angeles, Dec. 1

TV: Showtime PPV

By Peter Lim

Fury’s sheer mass and awkwardness proves problematic for Wilder from the outset. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Fury is by no means a limber, spring-footed heavyweight like Ali or Holmes. But he nevertheless manages to dictate the action by moving Wilder around with his size and pesky jab denying Wilder the leverage or trajectory to land the lethal harpoon he calls a right hand. Fury is not a devastating puncher but even arm punches delivered by the giant forces the stringbean-framed Wilder to continually set and reset.

But Wilder has prevailed against nightmare opponents before and, more importantly, has proved on more than one occasion that he retains the dynamite in his fists in the later rounds. Fury’s work rate decelerates a tad as the fight progresses. The slowdown is subtle but does not go unnoticed by Wilder’s corner who orders him to pull and counter every time Fury takes a forward step.

The tactic takes a few failed attempts to work but when it does, the result is sudden and spectacular. In the tenth round Fury attacks with a one-two and Wilder takes half a step back before exploding with the similar combo that lands smack on the jaw sending Fury crashing to the canvass for the full count.