Deontay Wilder has gotten his wish — a third crack at Tyson Fury. ‘The Gypsy King’ had agreed a blockbuster all-British encounter with Anthony Joshua, a bout that had boxing fans all over the world rubbing their hands with glee.
It won't be long now. July 24th it's about to go down. #FuryWilder3 #PPV pic.twitter.com/cd7YzGlS12
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) June 25, 2021
However, Wilder stepped in, demanding that Fury honours the third-fight agreement in their contract, and after the 32-year-old refused to pay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ the £14 million-purse he was demanding to let the trilogy bout slip, an arbitration case has forced the pair back into the ring.
Given that The Gypsy King was so dominant in victory in their second fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last year, it’s no surprise that he is the heavy favourite in the Fury v Wilder odds. But he will still need to be wary of the American’s famous hammer blows, which have won him so many fights to date.
So, as we count down the days to the trilogy fight, which will take place on July 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, let’s take a look back at three of Wilder’s most brutal knockouts. Read on to find out more!
Artur Szpilka – ninth round KO
Many felt that Artur Szpilka was on the cusp of an almighty upset when he went toe-to-toe with Wilder at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn back in January 2016. The Polish fighter was causing Wilder issues from the off, keeping the required distance to avoid those big punches, whilst landing accurate attacks of his own. In fact, by the end of the eighth round, most had scored the fight in Szpilka’s favour.
However, when Wilder is involved, just one punch can change the fight, and that’s exactly what happened in the ninth round. Forced into the corner, The Bronze Bomber ducked an overhand left from his counterpart, landing a strong right hook of his own on Szpilka’s chin, which left him sprawled out on the canvas. Fury, who was ringside, then entered the ring and the pair squared off for the first time.
Dominic Breazeale – first round KO
After the split decision draw with Fury at the Staples Center in Los Angeles back in December 2018, Wilder returned to the Barclays Center for a bout with fellow American Dominic Breazeale, and The Bronze Bomber was back in knockout form. Breazeale, known as ‘Trouble’, tried to go toe-to-toe with Wilder in the centre of the ring, but he was quickly put on the back foot as Wilder shrugged off his opponent’s early advances and landed some big punches. After being wobbled a couple of times in the opening minutes, Wilder finally put the fight to bed with a left jab followed by a huge right. Breazeale did manage to get back to his feet, albeit a bit wobbly and dazed, but not in time for the referee’s count.
Kelvin Price – third round KO
We’ve had to delve almost a decade into the archives to uncover this brutal knockout, but it was definitely worth it. It was a slow start to the fight, which took place in December 2012 at the Memorial Sports Arena in LA, with Wilder not throwing too many big punches, whilst Kelvin Price’s attacks were even more scarce.
However, in the third round, The Bronze Bomber finally seemed to find his range. He put every ounce of his almighty power into a huge overhand right, which connected perfectly with the side of Price’s face — literally sending him flying into the ropes. The American managed to get back to his feet shortly after the count, but we don’t think he really knew where he was after that punch.
