Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury Fight Announced; Opening Betting Odds Revealed

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistAugust 18, 2018

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 17: Tyson Fury reacts to rival heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder's taunts during the weigh in for his fight with Francesco Pianeta on August 17, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Windsor park will host the Frampton boxing bill on Saturday night which also features Paddy Barnes and Tyson Fury. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Deontay Wilder has opened as a slight favorite ahead of Tyson Fury after Wilder's manager, Frank Warren, confirmed the fight will happen.

According to OddsShark's Scott Hastings, Wilder (-120) is only slightly ahead of Fury (-110) in the eyes of oddsmakers.

Fury earned a decision victory over Francesco Pianeta on Saturday, and Warren wasted little time following the result to get the gears in motion for Fury vs. Wilder.

"We're ready now. This fight will happen," he said, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. "This fight is on. The best fighting the best."

The mind games are already on, with Fury holding Wilder's WBC heavyweight title aloft while he walked around the ring, per Boxing on BT Sport:

Boxing on BT Sport @BTSportBoxing
Tyson Fury gets a hold of Deontay Wilder's belt inside the ring... 😱 But gets it back to the champ in one piece 😏 https://t.co/lgY4DDoOoh

Wilder is unbeaten in 40 fights as a professional, with all but one of his victories coming via knockout. With Saturday's result, Fury moved to 27-0 in his pro career, having notched 19 knockouts.

While Fury vs. Wilder should be entertaining, many boxing fans are likely looking ahead to a prospective bout between Wilder and Anthony Joshua. A deal looked to be close to finalize the fight, but negotiations ultimately fell through.

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