Deontay Wilder backed to knock out 'vulnerable' Tyson Fury in trilogy bout

American takes on unbeaten Englishman for the WBC heavyweight world title on October 9

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  Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder during their rematch in Las Vegas in February 2020.

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  Tyson Fury celebrates defeating Deontay Wilder to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship at the Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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  Tyson Fury celebrates with the belts after winning the fight.

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  Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder in the fifth round.

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  Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder.

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  Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Deontay Wilder.

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  Tyson Fury watches Deontay Wilder hit the canvas.

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  Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder.

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  Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder.

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  Tyson Fury at the end of the first round.

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  Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in the first round.

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  Deontay Wilder enters the ring.

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  Tyson Fury arrives in the arena.

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  Tyson Fury makes his entrance.

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  Former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

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  Former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in the ring.

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  Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson before the fight.

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  NFL player Patrick Mahomes attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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  Boxing Hall of Fame member Mike Tyson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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  Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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  Former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson.

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  Boxing Hall of Fame member Thomas Hearns attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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  NBA Hall of Fame member Magic Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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  Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and head coach John Gruden.

Deontay Wilder’s team are convinced the American boxer will knock out “vulnerable” Tyson Fury in their rescheduled trilogy clash later this year.

The third encounter between the pair has been announced for October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after a Covid-19 outbreak within Fury’s camp forced this month’s fight to be pushed back. It was originally slated for July 24, at the Allegiant Stadium.

Wilder, 35, is seeking to exact revenge for their most recent meeting in February last year, when Fury completely dominated his rival to triumph by seventh-round TKO. In doing so, he clinched the WBC heavyweight title. The duo’s first bout, in December 2018, ended in a draw.

However, with Wilder busy getting in shape for the trilogy, his co-manager Shelly Finkel sees only one outcome this time around.

"I definitely believe that Deontay is going to win his title back by knocking out Tyson Fury," Finkel told Sky Sports.

Since last year’s defeat, Wilder has made significant changes to his team, with trainer Malik Scott now principally overseeing the strategy for defeating Fury. The Englishman, 32, is unbeaten as a professional, and boasts a record of 30 wins and a draw from 31 fights. Wilder, meanwhile, sits at 42-1-1, with 41 of those victories coming via knockout.

Scott told Sky Sports: "They both have the power to hurt each other. The difference is that Deontay has the power to knock you out.

"Fury is undefeated but is vulnerable. That won't make sense to most humans. He is an unbeaten fighter but is very beatable. He gives you an opportunity to hit him.

"It is our job to take advantage of those opportunities. I believe Deontay will, and I believe he will knock Fury out in the trilogy."

The winner of the October encounter is expected to next face Anthony Joshua in a unification bout, should the WBA, WBO and IBF champion get past Oleksandr Usyk on September 25.

Again, speaking to Sky Sports, Joshua said: "I will fight them all. Wilder is just another one in the pecking order, no problem."