Their first battle in December of 2018 was an entertaining and surprisingly dramatic tilt with an unforgettable final round, but the draw verdict at the end left many dissatisfied. But now, at long last, chapter two in what could well become an historic heavyweight rivalry is just days away. And indeed, what better cure for the February blahs could there be than Wilder vs Fury II, a showdown to decide ostensibly the lineal heavyweight king, as well as the logical next opponent for that other heavyweight titlist, Anthony Joshua? It’s another high-stakes clash between two of boxing’s most colorful characters, the power of “The Bronze Bomber” vs the unorthodox ring smarts of “The Gypsy King.” Who’s gonna take it? The fine people at your favorite independent boxing website got their picks locked and loaded. Check ’em out:

In the first fight, Wilder stalked Fury with one thing in mind: land the right hand. Deontay occasionally jabbed to the body and chest and snuck in the odd left hook downstairs, but ultimately, he was just too impatient and predictable in search of the knockout. When Fury wasn’t rolling, slipping and sliding away from the right hand, he nullified it by disrupting Wilder with feints, not allowing him to set his feet, and by occupying his guard with the jab and quick-fire one-twos.

But Fury’s primary and most intuitive defensive measure was to duck under the big right. However, that reliance on ducking almost cost him, as Deontay started aiming lower with the right hand and timing Fury as he ducked. This adjustment led to Wilder scoring two knockdowns in the last four rounds, which in turn led to him getting a draw in a fight where he lost the majority of rounds.

“Boxers” typically come out on top against “punchers” in rematches, but I sense we’re going to see a different approach from at least one man that could alter the style dynamic. Fury said he wants the knockout, and I believe him. How he will go about getting it requires some guesswork, but I suspect he may try to work up close where he can impose his size and dig to the lanky, skinny-legged man’s body while taking away punching leverage. Here’s the problem: I don’t believe Tyson will be able to do that without, at some point, getting nailed on the way in by boxing’s biggest puncher.

Tyson is hard to hit cleanly when he stays behind the jab and circles, but when he holds his feet or moves forward, he is easier to find. Conversely, I believe Wilder will be more methodical and less gung-ho this time; less predictable and more dangerous. Rather than actively pursuing his man, don’t be surprised if Wilder sits back and tries to lure Tyson into the right hand, which would not only help disguise the punch, but amplify its impact.

Although he didn’t take one flush on the chin, “The Gypsy King” couldn’t avoid Wilder’s money punch for twelve rounds in their first fight despite boxing almost flawlessly. Fury getting hit good and proper with the right now seems inevitable, given he will likely be sitting down on his punches and presenting “The Bronze Bomber” with a more stationary target. Wilder by KO. — Lee Wylie

I had Fury handily winning the first fight, having outboxed and outfoxed the American in most of the rounds. And up until recently, I saw the rematch going the exact same way, just with Fury avoiding the dramatic knockdowns this time. But Fury’s recent split with trusted trainer Ben Davison, in addition to his heavier weight and statements of wanting to stand and trade shots with Wilder, have me more skeptical of his chances. Still, I have to go with Fury by decision, his slick boxing skills again carrying the day over the vaunted puncher. Great equalizing right hand be damned, the Brit will rise to the occasion and wins a convincing decision in the biggest fight of his career. — Jamie Rebner

Deontay Wilder’s the kind of guy that you absolutely cannot afford to have mental lapses against, and what makes him even more dangerous in this rematch is that he has thirty-six minutes of Tyson Fury data to draw from. What allows Wilder to be so devastating late in a fight and in rematches is his ability to discern openings, plus the confidence to never stop believing in himself. But at the same time, he will need to improve on closing the gap on Fury, namely by using his jab more and targeting the body, while not smothering his attack as he often did in the first fight.

Overall, I think there is more upside for Wilder in the rematch than there is for Fury. Simply put, it’s hard to bet against a ticking time bomb in the prime of their career. That said, I expect Fury to take a slightly more aggressive posture than in their first fight and he may well outwork Wilder early, but ultimately I think Deontay will stop Tyson late. This may very well be facilitated by the scar tissue developed over Fury’s eye in his fight against Otto Wallin, for if that cut re-opens Fury may never see the one big punch that ends his night. Wilder by late round stoppage. — Alden Chodash

If “The Gypsy King” is true to his word (which he usually isn’t) about going toe-to-toe with Wilder, I fear he may be caught with a punch from which he will be unable to rise. I was impressed by the grit he showed against Otto Wallin, but less so by how hittable he was. Still, fitter than ever and invigorated by a new trainer, if Fury boxes sensibly and moves off the back foot, he may have his hand raised after the final bell. But Wilder’s ring IQ is extremely underrated, and though he might lose the majority of rounds, he is always looking for that one opening to exploit. In the end I suspect Fury will get overzealous and Deontay will take advantage. Wilder by late KO. — Rob Lownie

I see Wilder vs Fury II playing out much like the first encounter, with Fury outscoring Wilder in the majority of rounds while the American patiently stalks, finds occasional success, but is unable to get the finish. Fury’s talk of going for an early KO is obviously gamesmanship, though I can envisage him asserting himself more forcefully this time. Naturally, this poses serious danger but, providing he is not overly reckless, it may actually be less dangerous than focusing round after round on avoiding Wilder’s power. Fury knows as well as anyone the danger Wilder poses and I think a more active and fitter version will be able to keep his concentration for the full twelve rounds to get the judges’ decision this time. Fury on points. — Matt O’Brien