Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are set to face off for the third and - almost definitely - final time on October 9.
The pair’s first meeting ended in controversial fashion, with the judges marking the bout down as a draw. That decision drew waves of criticism from all corners of the boxing world, with the majority of viewers believing Fury had done more than enough to secure victory, despite being knocked down twice.
It couldn’t have been more different the second time round, though. Before forcing a seventh round stoppage, Fury delivered a sensational technical display, which was backed by power we hadn’t seen previously from the fighter.
Given the emphatic nature of that result, Wilder heads into the latest clash as the underdog among bookies, fighters and pundits.
However, as we’ve plenty of times down the years, and as Wilder professes himself, he only needs a split second to win a fight due to his devastating one-punch ability. We already know he’s capable of dropping Fury, so this is no write-off by any stretch of the imagination.
Here’s how the boxing world is expecting things to play out.
Anthony Joshua
It was only a few months back that AJ’s long-awaited superfight with Fury seemed all but done. Things change quickly in heavyweight boxing though, and he’s now facing the biggest questions of his career after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.
Ahead of that defeat, Joshua offered a somewhat surprising prediction to US media via video conference, backing Wilder to get the job done.
“If I had to, I don’t know. I’m not too bothered. Look, because you’ve asked the question, let’s go with Wilder because he seems obsessed, like he really wants it. He seems really focused on the task ahead, so, you know, a focused man is a dangerous man, and he’s focused," he said.
David Haye
While he did point out that this was no forgone conclusion, Haye admitted it was difficult to see past a Fury victory given the last bout.
“I don’t write Wilder off completely, but you’re only as good as your last fight. And in the last fight, Wilder didn’t have any success whatsoever," he told the Manchester Evening News.
“The first fight, it was kind of 50-50. It was a draw with arguments one way or another, but the last fight was so one-sided that it’s hard to see what Wilder can do to turn it around. But this is boxing, and when you can punch as hard as Wilder, you can’t write him off.
“Fury sleeps proving the public wrong, he keeps ripping up the script, and he keeps doing his thing. He’s definitely on a roll if you look at his results, and I’m looking forward to it.
Paulie Malignaggi
The former WBA welterweight champion also backed Fury. Despite labelling The Bronze Bomber as one of the greats, Malignaggi believes Fury’s style is the worst possible matchup for Wilder to deal with.
“I think Wilder is one of the best heavyweights in the world. I don’t think he stylistically matches up with Fury,” he told iFL TV.
“I don’t believe...so Wilder fights going backwards really well. For anybody that gives me the Szpilka knockout or Luis Ortiz knockout in the second fight, a step-back counter shot isn’t fighting to go backwards.
“I’m talking about a guy that is consistently backing you up, and your momentum now is taking you backwards and psychologically; you need to be in reverse mode fighting.
“That’s what Fury does to you, and I don’t think Wilder knows how to fight like that. There have been some great fighters that didn’t know how to fight going backwards.
Mike Tyson
Iron Mike has spoken of his admiration towards Fury in the past, so there’s no big surprise that he’s expecting a similar affair this time round.
During a recent episode of his Hotboxin’ podcast, alongside Andy Ruiz and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo, Tyson refuted Ruiz’ claim that the fight could go either way.
"No way,” He responded.
"You know, Deontay Wilder has nothing to be sad about or nothing to complain about, he's fought great fights...I just think Tyson Fury has his number."
Frank Warren
Fury’s UK promoter is unsurprisingly backing his man to come away with the win, though he did highlight how Wilder’s power made it such an exciting prospect.
“You can’t change this guy [Wilder],” Warren told TalkSPORT. “You’re not going to turn him into a boxer, he’s too old.
“We know he’s dangerous and I think it’s exciting…the only way he can beat Tyson Fury is to knock him over, he’s not going to outbox him.
“I think from the first round he’s going to try and put it on him. That’s the only chance he’s got and if he does that it also plays into Tyson’s hands as we saw in the last fight.
“Tyson going forward and throwing bombs as well – Tyson’s got a good chin. If it’s a shootout I’d still back Tyson.”
Errol Spence Jr
The welterweight king is going against general consensus, backing his fellow American to learn from the last fight and make the necessary adjustments.
“I’m rolling with Deontay. How can I roll with a dude across the pond?” Spence said to Barbershop Conversations (via RingNews24). “I’ve been watching Deontay’s videos and he’s been looking sharp. Now he’s throwing combinations to the body.
“He has somebody his height. Hooks to the body. Hooks to the head. 1-2-3’s and things like that. Uppercuts. A lot of things that he was missing."
“A lot of times he was just a 1-2 fighter. It’ll be good to see him able to switch things up. I’m hoping Deontay Wilder gets his payback and just dues."
“It looks like he’s been training hard and staying focused and getting in shape," he added. "I wish him the best. I hope he gets the big knockout.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will meet on October 9, at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.
Malik Scott
Scott is another siding with the underdog, expressing confidence that Wilder is in prime position to get that elusive knockout win.
"We built a facility to do a licensed homicide," Scott said to 78SPORTSTV (via Boxing Insider). "Deontay Wilder is not playing. He built a facility to get this job done.
"When he wakes up and rolls out of bed it’s right to work. Everything we’re doing he’s right to work."
"I’ve never seen it before from him like this at this level, I’m proud of him already for what we’re about to get done."
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will meet on October 9, at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.