Back in September 2017, Tyson Fury could not have been further away from the world of boxing. The 'Gypsy King' was suffering with depression, dangerously overweight, and had seen his boxing license revoked. Stripped of all of the belts he won against Wladimir Klitschko in Düsseldorf, it seemed as though yet another promising heavyweight had been cut down before his time.

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Happier times: Every one of Tyson Fury's first eighteen knockouts have been a sight to behold.

40 shades of Bronze

Now he has the opportunity to rectify his mistakes of the past, with the ultimate goal being a defining British super-fight with current WBA, WBO and IBF Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua. There's only one obstacle in his way and, unfortunately, he is a 40-0, two-metre behemoth. His name: Deontay 'the Bronze Bomber' Wilder.

Wilder has knocked out 39 of his 40 opponents to date, defeating the odd one out by unanimous decision. For good measure, he then knocked that same man out in a rematch two years later. Still on a high from a tenth-round stoppage of previously undefeated journeyman Luis Ortiz, he continually proves his mental strength to the world, and his sense of unwavering self-belief often has fights won long before the first bell.

It therefore stands to reason that the WBC belt holder is odds-on in all of the latest boxing betting markets to make it 41-0 in emphatic fashion, representing a challenge like Fury has never experienced. There is also the additional fact that Fury's most impressive win so far was that bout with Klitschko three years ago, and nothing has come close since.

Since then, Fury has boxed only fourteen professional rounds, which came in two 'warm-up' fights against Albanian Sefer Seferi and Italian Francesco Pianeta.

Fury
(Photo : Fury ) Fury
 

This is the man Fury must face, and beat, to erase his own reputation one of the sport's biggest 'what ifs'.

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Bout to be a 'slow burner'

At his peak, Fury was arguably more than capable of being the antidote to Wilder's formidable right hand. His composure in the ring and intimidating skill-set seem almost impossible for someone of his sheer size. Standing at a gargantuan 6ft 9in and 18 stone, Fury has no earthly right to be so intricate and sophisticated, though his knockouts are naturally a sight to behold.

Fury's opponents have spoken of his variety, complimented his engine, and never hesitated to heap praise on his jab. Yet, sadly for him, it is only a case of exactly how many rounds it will take Wilder to stop Fury. Given the size of both fighters, and the expectation surrounding Wilder, a classic 'slow burner' is to be expected.

Both men know how much they stand to lose from defeat, and both know how much they stand to gain from victory. The opening rounds will be cagey and, while Wilder could land a fight-ending knockout at any time, Fury is good enough to keep him at range until at least the final quarter of the fight.