Whether or not Deontay Wilder decides to add to his corner remains to be seen, but the former heavyweight titlist has come to grips with at least keeping the team intact moving forward.
Now that the gang is still together, the next question is how to make things right the next time around.
Wilder never hesitated in activating a clause calling for a third fight with England’s Tyson Fury, officially announcing such intentions a week after suffering a 7th round knockout in their February 22 title fight rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Those who’ve groaned over the thought of their running it back have argued that the 34-year old former titlist has been outboxed in the overwhelming majority of the 19 rounds for which they’ve shared a ring. Others point to the fact that the business side makes sense, with the event generating more than $16.9 million at the live gate and selling between 750,000-800,000 Pay-Per-View buys
There is also the matter of Alabama’s Wilder having reigned for than five years as a heavyweight titlist, therefore earning the right to attempt to win back the belt he successfully defended 10 times.
The question, of course, is how he can accomplish that.
“It sounds like he needs a lot but he really doesn’t,” former three-division titlist Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15KOs) claimed during the most recent edition of Fox Sports’ Inside PBC Boxing, for which he serves as an expert analyst. “Because even Tyson Fury knows this, [Wilder] has a puncher’s chance. That’s never gonna go away. Little adjustments, with the jab, pushing Tyson Fury back. It sounds easier said than done. But he cannot pull back with his head straight up (in the air).
“Little adjustments like that will get the job done.”
His in-studio partner would like to see a more pronounced difference.
“Offense,” bluntly stated former two-time welterweight titlist Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 17KOs) when asked what area needs the biggest improvement. “The offense has to pick up. He has to get more in his arsenal ASAP. Better jab, more combinations and I think he needs to be more aggressive against Tyson Fury.”
Despite most believing that Fury deserved to win their first fight in December 2018—where he suffered two late round knockdowns in having to settle for a split decision draw—and the rematch proving fairly conclusive, there still exists the belief that part three could be far more competitive than the most recent installment.
“I’m gonna go ahead and say it’s a 50/50 fight,” believes Porter. “The reason I say it’s a 50/50 fight is because of what (Mares) just said. He doesn’t have to do much to change the outcome of the fight. I think he’s that kind of fighter and simpler, easier said than done. But I still believe it can be done.”
Mares agrees.
“I still think it’s a 50/50 fight for the same reason,” notes Mares. “Wilder needs to be again wild… he can’t be something that he’s not.”
“That made him unpredictable,” Porter replied. “And got him the results he wanted.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
