Tyson Fury’s head trainer, SugarHill Steward, predicted that the WBC champion will face Deontay Wilder weighing 20 pounds more than their previous fight.
Wilder and Fury last fought in February 2020 and while the Bronze Bomber has spent much of his time training with Malik Scott, a coronavirus infection and the ill health of his newborn child have disrupted Fury’s preparation.
Nonetheless Steward thinks that Fury will be coming in heavier.
"It’s not going to be 300 pounds, it’s probably going to be like 290 or something but not 300 exactly. Heavier than last time by 20 pounds or so, why not?” Steward said to Vegas Insider.
“The bigger the better, the heavier the stronger. He’s training with that weight, he’s built up. It’s not like he’s just putting on fat, it’s building up muscles. The bigger the better, the heavier the stronger."
Fury suffered a near-knockout in the final round of the first fight in 2018, and Steward acknowledged it stopped his fighter feeling complacent.
"There’s always that fear factor, you’ve got to have that. That’s what keeps you sharp. You have got to have that. That’s not to say you believe it always or you’re afraid of anyone, but to keep you sharp it's a really important thing," Steward explained.
"I have to consider everything. We’re preparing for the best Deontay Wilder that he can be. Let’s just say he’s improved so much. You can’t go in there and think anything less. We’re preparing for him to come in at the highest peak of his abilities and that's how we’re training and preparing - for the best Deontay Wilder."
"The psychological side has a lot to do with fighting because the mind is what controls the body. Let’s just keep it real simple - whatever the mind can conceive it can achieve. Someone with a strong mind can definitely beat someone who is more physical than them. Just because you have a strong bicep does not mean you can control that bicep. The mind is what controls everything."
"A lot also depends on how a person adapts to certain situations. Someone may say something negative to you, how do you react to that? Tyson has had that a lot in his career. How long does it stay with you mentally before you block it out? Everyone is different, some people can overcome things and some people can’t. Some people can change and adapt quicker than others depending on each individual's ability. Tyson has been able to do that."