Tyson Fury a Big Favorite Entering Saturday’s Heavyweight Bout with Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas

Posted on: June 14, 2019, 08:03h. 

Last updated on: June 14, 2019, 08:03h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More

Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

Oddsmakers believe Tyson Fury Saturday’s heavyweight bout with German Tom Schwarz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be a one-sided affair.

The 6-foot-9 Fury (27-0-1) has -3334 odds at PointsBet as of early Friday morning. That means a $100 bet on the heavyweight lineal champion would net $3. Ring Magazine currently ranks the British boxer as the top heavyweight fighter in the world.

The last time the 30-year-old with 19 career knockouts got into the ring, he survived a 12th round knockdown to pull out a draw against American and WBC champion Deontay Wilder last December.

I hope it inspired many people as I enjoyed getting up off that canvas and fighting on. And it takes more than a punch to knock me down and make me stay down.” Fury told reporters after a workout Tuesday.

Saturday’s fight will be available through ESPN+, the network’s online streaming service, which costs $4.99 a month. Undercard matches will air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes starting a 7 pm ET. The feed moves to ESPN+ three hours later, with a light heavyweight bout between Jesse Hart and Sullivan Barrera taking place before Fury-Schwarz.

Fury’s Comeback

Fury won the WBA super heavyweight as well as the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles back in 2015 when he beat Wladmir Klitschko in a unanimous decision. The IBF stripped him shortly after the Klitschko fight because he could not schedule a bout against the federation’s mandatory challenger.

However, he voluntarily vacated the WBA, WBO, and IBO titles in the following year after developing mental health issues stemming from alcohol and drug use, which kept him out of the ring for nearly three years after beating Klitschko.

He fought two fights last year in preparation for the Wilder bout.

While he lost the belts, he still maintained the lineal title. He said it’s the only title on his mind.

“It goes back a long, long way, and that’s the one I’m defending with pride and honor,” he said.

Fury already has an agreement in place with Wilder for a rematch early next year. The winner of that bout would likely face the winner of the Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua rematch for a title fight.

Earlier this month, Ruiz handed Joshua his first defeat and won the WBA, IBF, WBF, and IBO belts by TKO. It was a stunning outcome as few thought Ruiz could compete with a fighter 20-pounds lighter and four inches taller.

Schwarz Ready to ‘Shock’

Schwarz has not lost in 24 career fights, with 16 wins by knockout. However, this will be his first fight in America. Just two of his bouts have taken place outside of his native Germany.

Despite oddsmakers’ doubts, Schwarz believes he can beat Fury, adding he has a “surprise” for him Saturday night.

“I take inspiration from German heavyweights of the past, including Max Schmeling,” Schwarz said on Tuesday. “It might be time for a German heavyweight to shock the world again.”