LAS VEGAS — The next major boxing event takes place on Saturday from T-Mobile Arena.
The main event features Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder squaring off for the third time with Fury's lineal and WBC heavyweight titles at stake.
As always with a big-time boxing card, there are certainly plenty of bets to be made. Let's take a look at some of them.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 odds
Tyson Fury -250
Deontay Wilder: +200
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Thursday, Oct. 7) has Fury installed as a sizable favorite to win the trilogy — coming in at -250, meaning you'd need to bet $250 to win $100. Meanwhile, Wilder is a +200, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $200.
Fury and Wilder locked horns for the first time in December 2018. The Englishman won the boxing aspect of the contest, but the "Bronze Bomber" exemplified why he's got the most dangerous hands in boxing, sending Fury crashing down twice, including the 12th round where it appeared Fury was out for the count. However, Fury rose from the dead to make it back to his feet and the final bell and secure a split draw.
After Fury and Wilder took interim bouts, they clashed again in February 2020. But, unlike the first go around, Fury took the fight to Wilder and battered the bully in the process. Fury dropped Wilder twice to notch a seventh-round TKO win after the American's co-trainer at the time, Mark Breland, threw in the towel.
Fury vs. Wilder 3 prediction
It's not surprising that the odds are this high in favor of the two-time heavyweight champion because you can make the case that Fury's won both fights. Yes, the first fight in December 2018 was a split draw, but if you watch the fight back, Fury won 10 of the 12 rounds, with Wilder only securing the other rounds due to knockdowns in the ninth and 12th rounds. Fury took Wilder's best shots and was able to not only get up but land significant power shots.
Then in the February 2020 rematch, Fury was relentless. He bullied the bully, dominated every round, and turned the tables on Wilder by sending him to the canvas twice as well. Fury was battering Wilder to the point where Wilder's co-trainer at the time, Mark Breland, had seen enough and threw in the towel, much to the dismay of the former WBC titlist.
To the shock of many people inside the sport, Wilder started making a litany of excuses of why he lost. Instead of acknowledging his defeat and admitting that Fury was the better man that night, he rang off a number of excuses, including: that Breland shouldn't have thrown in the towel, that his ring outfit was too heavy, that Fury's gloves were loaded and that his water was spiked.
Wilder changed things up coming into the trilogy. After firing Breland, Wilder made former 2014 opponent Malik Scott his new head trainer and put former head man Jay Deas into Breland's position.
For Wilder to join Fury as a two-time heavyweight champion, he needs to mix things up. The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist can't be so reliant on his detonating right hand, despite it quite arguably being the most devastating shot in all of boxing. He possesses a better jab than people think and along with it, a solid left hook that's underrated. If Wilder goes the variety route, he has a good shot at catching Fury.
For the champion, he's just got to be Tyson Fury. Mix things up a little bit to keep Wilder on his toes but still use wrinkles in what he did 20 months ago by going right at Wilder and making him fight off the back foot. Wilder proved in the rematch when you do that, he has no answer.
It's hard to see this fight being any different than what we saw in the rematch. A new trainer doesn't mean Wilder's going to instantly change his stripes. However, if Fury applies constant pressure and walks Wilder down, it's hard to imagine Wilder staying patient and not trying to swing for the fences to help him get out of trouble. You need at least two fights with a new trainer to fully feel comfortable with what they want you to do.
Wilder has three rounds to get Fury out of there, or it's going to be a long night at the office. Fury's going to not only make it past the third round, but he will stop the "Bronze Bomber" in the first round of the fight and win the trilogy.
Muehlhausen's pick: Tyson Fury
Best odds: Deontay Wilder via stoppage: +250
More Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 odds
Method of victory
Fury by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: -110
Fury on points: +300
Wilder by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +250
Wilder on points: +1400
Tie: +2000