Fight fans, we congregate at the behest of another classic fight! What more could we ask for? Over the years memorable fights always share a common theme; one man wants to box, the other wants to make it a fight.
In this purest form of athletic competition ever conceived, the man with the better technique comes out top. It is worth mentioning that although rematches have given the sweet science of boxing many thrilling and unforgettable nights (Micky Ward v Arturo Gatti, Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard v Thomas Hearns), some rematches were simply needless (Oscar De la Hoya v Shane Mosley)
Whilst the competitive nature of the above-mentioned thrilling fights left fans clamoring for trilogies (Erik Morales v Marco Antonio Barrera), some rematches gave very definitive answers (Azumah Nelson v Jeff Fenech, Sergio Martinez v Paul Williams, etc)
Press conference appearances for this rematch suggest that both men are in good physical condition. Amazingly Tyson Fury does not have to lose pounds in multiples of ten to get into fight shape. One of the metrics by which the greatness of a fighter can be established is the ability to stay in shape. On this occasion, both men tick this box. Very good.
Whereas some fight fans prefer the classic pitch battle of a fight in toe-to-toe, others prefer the execution of a game plan thought in the boxing fundamentals; the first lesson in Boxing 101. It simply states hit and don’t get hit.
Although the right-hand detonator of Wilder put the Gypsy King on his ass twice in the first fight, the movement of the big man was a riddle Wilder could not solve. Also, well documented is that Wilder’s right hand was only functioning at about 60% on the night due to an injury during training. If that is anything to go by, then if it functions at 100% on Feb 22nd, Fury has a lot to think about
Conversely, Fury’s well documented non-boxing lifestyle and having to shed all that weight suggest that he was also functioning well below 100%. For a man to be out of heavyweight boxing for over 2 years, binge on illicit substances, balloon in weight and still move like that on the night shows that class is permanent.
Barring any injuries, both men will be performing at 100% on the night. If that is the case, common knowledge suggests that it will be a case of Fury’s tidy jab and movement against Wilder’s right hand.
Question is which of these two aforementioned weapons is easier to negate? For a detonator to trigger an explosion, all the elements of the circuit must be functional. One plug taken out of the conductive path will lead to no explosion. Again, simple physics suggests an inverse proportionality between resistance and current. Just like in the first fight, Wilder’s right hand can only detonate when Fury gets lazy and squares his shoulders in front of Wilder.
Though not an easy thing to do, all Fury needs to do is to increase the resistance in order to reduce the current; keep circling away from Wilder’s right hand. History suggests that Fury never fights a perfectly disciplined fight but the answer to whether he can circle away from Wilder’s right hand is a RESOUNDING YES
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? A big fat NO. After 12 pulsating rounds with Fury, Wilder will make some adjustments, but will that be enough for him to learn to box clever and cut the ring? I may be biased but I don’t think so.
Wilder keeps banging on about his right hand and how he only needs a second for him to finish Fury. He has every right to believe in that as numbers don’t lie but he has to remember that Fury plays his chess game with supreme athleticism.When the bell rings on Feb 22nd, the feats of the audacious desire of the two brave warriors will be sewn into the tapestry of boxing’s historical narrative. Even if Wilder’s right-hand does land and Fury’s legs give away for a few seconds, his brave heart will hold up. I dare say that the history of boxing already has a page on Tyson Fury, a page with an ending yet to be written.
Bearing in mind the fearlessness of Fury and his capacity of the seemingly impossible, Wilder’s so-called moment of truth may turn out to be 36 minutes of torture.