One of boxing’s most heated rivalries in recent memory will write its third and likely final chapter Saturday as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury meets former champion Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view card is set for 9 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena. Neither fighter enjoyed the global fame afforded many champions until they met each other in December 2018 and delivered a stylistic classic, with the previously unbeaten Wilder’s power countered by Fury’s unwavering fundamentals. Wilder scored a pair of knockdowns but Fury won the majority of the rounds and they settled for a split draw. Their rematch in February of last year was a lopsided affair that saw Fury take the belt with a seventh-round stoppage.
Fury is a -270 favorite (risk $270 to win $200), while Wilder comes back at +220 in the latest Fury vs. Wilder III odds from Caesars Spotsbook. The co-main event also features heavyweights as Frank Sanchez (-200) faces Efe Ajagba (+170). Before settling any Fury vs. Wilder picks, make sure you check out the predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat analyst Brandon Wise.
Wise, who is the combat sports editor for CBS Sports, is an experienced boxing analyst. His strong 2021 boxing record includes correctly calling victories for social-media-star-turned-boxing-phenom Jake Paul over former UFC fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Moreover, the respected combat analyst also called Jamel Herring (+105) to defeat Carl Frampton (-125) for the WBO junior lightweight title in April. Anyone who has followed Wise’s combat sports picks has seen massive returns.
Now, with Saturday’s mega-fight in sight, Wise has analyzed Fury vs. Wilder III from every angle and identified the best value in the latest boxing odds. You can see his confident money-line selection and other boxing picks at SportsLine.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III preview
As it turns out, both fighters needed this rivalry to cement their legacies in this generation. This is because before they fought each other, each was among the least-celebrated champions in the history of the storied division.
Fury (30-0-1) climbed the ranks against mostly meager competition before scoring a lackluster decision over fading former champion Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 to become the unified champion.
Shortly after the victory, Fury dealt with struggles in his personal life that caused him to walk away from the sport for nearly three years. He returned in the summer of 2018 and won what essentially served as two warm-up fights before getting booked to face Wilder (42-1-1), who has faced his own share of ups and downs.
The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist has long enjoyed a loyal following in the South and, in particular, his home state of Alabama, where he came up short of his childhood dream of playing football for his beloved Crimson Tide.
He won the WBC title in January 2015 with a decision win over former title-holder Bermane Stiverne (the lone fight in his career to go the distance) and successfully defended it 10 times. His knockout power is obvious, but some observers remained skeptical because of the lack of competition against truly dangerous contenders.
This came to an end with the first fight against Fury, especially when he floored the challenger in the final round with a punch that sent him face-down into the canvas. But Fury memorably made it to his feet just ahead of the count and finished the round.
Both fighters were disappointed when a draw was announced, but Fury took the upper hand with a dominant showing in the rematch. Now, it’s Wilder’s turn to see if he can settle the score.
How to make Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III picks
Wise likes the under 7.5 rounds at a price of +105 in the latest Caesars Sportsbook boxing odds. He’s also made the call on a strong Wilder vs. Fury money-line pick. You can only see Wise’s boxing picks and analysis at SportsLine.
Who wins Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III? And which other picks should you be all over? Visit SportsLine now to see Brandon Wise’s best bets for Saturday, all from the CBS combat sports specialist who has crushed his boxing picks in 2021, and find out.
