Odds makers have the upcoming Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury as a virtual pick 'em fight. The rematch takes place on February 22nd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
They fought to a split draw in their first fight and observers are split on who will win the rematch.
Kevin Barry, trainer of former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, will be a very interested observer of the upcoming sequel and gave us his early breakdown of the fight.
"Look, it is too early to pick at the moment but I think both guys will be better prepared for the rematch. I think both guys - especially Fury - his last fight wasn't too dynamic. He had moments in that fight that weren't too spectacular but we know that Tyson Fury is much better than that. He is a guy who raises to the caliber of the opponent and the size of the fight. You only have to look back to the (Wladimir) Klitschko fight where he fought the fight of his life and the first fight against Wilder where everyone had written him off and he gave Wilder a total boxing lesson," Barry told BoxingScene.com.
"Then you look at Wilder's last fight. The first 6 rounds against Ortiz he got out boxed badly. He wasn't even in the fight. People were saying, 'what is he doing?' and then he threw that cannon and once he threw it then it was game over which has been the case throughout his career. He has got a great right hand, probably the heaviest puncher ever in world heavyweight boxing."
Barry believes that the fighter who makes the better adjustments will be the one who leaves the ring after the fight with his hand raised.
"It is an exciting fight. I think both guys have learned a lot about each other's styles. I think if Wilder waits it could be a very easy night for Fury with his long range and his flick jab just picking him apart. Wilder has a very good team with Jay Deas who is a good coach and Mark Breland is a very clever boxing guy. He has good people in his corner and I am sure they will make the adjustments. There were a lot of patterns in the first fight. Wilder kept going over the same patterns time and time again and they weren't working so I think he will make those adjustments. When Fury punches obviously he has to punch to take the size and reach advantage away," explained Barry.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter