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SPORTS Friday 21 February 2020
Wilder, Fury, to answer questions in big heavyweight rematch

By TIM DAHLBERG $40 million each in their ea-
AP Boxing Writer gerly anticipated rematch,
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The best and there are plenty of
fights come with questions, heavyweight matchups to
and there are many sur- get people talking about
rounding Deontay Wilder the big guys once again.
and Tyson Fury as they meet And big they are, with Wild-
in a rematch that is argu- er checking in at 6-foot-7
ably the biggest heavy- and 230 pounds of fright-
weight title fight since Len- ful power. Fury is more of a
nox Lewis destroyed Mike boxer but even bigger at
Tyson 18 years ago in Mem- 6-9 and 270, which he re-
phis. minded Wilder of as they
The best fighters usually end stood in a toe-to-toe face
up providing the answers, off at Wednesday's final
and that's what makes Sat- prefight news conference
urday's showdown must- to promote the bout.
see TV even for those who "Look how small you are,
are only casual fans. you midget," Fury barked
Can Fury outbox Wilder at Wilder.
again like he did in the "You're the one who was on
first fight, which ended in the ground," Wilder replied.
a draw? Can Wilder land "I was standing on top of
the same kind of devastat- you." Deontay Wilder, left, shoves Tyson Fury, of England, during a face off for photographers at a news
conference for their upcoming WBC heavyweight championship boxing match, Wednesday, Feb.
ing punches that left Fury That's exactly where Wilder 19, 2020, in Las Vegas.
flat on his back in the 12th was in the 12th round in the Associated Press
round of that fight, seem- first fight in Los Angeles, and
ingly for good, in the 11th he thought Fury wasn't get- says otherwise, he's lying." week at the MGM Grand while Fury says he will turn
defense of his title?Can ting up. With good reason, To be sure, round 12 is living in a news conference tele- the tables and go after
one heavyweight rule the because the other fighters in a lot of heads lately be- vised by ESPN2 and Fox the big puncher instead of
roost and give boxing the he has knocked out during cause ESPN and Fox Sports Sports I that was mostly an boxing his way to a deci-
champion — and division his career — 41 of the 42 he have replayed the knock- infomercial — complete sion win.
— the sport has been thirst- faced before Fury, to be down hundreds of times with commercial breaks — "He's a bully and when a
ing for all these years? exact — didn't. in a relentless buildup for for those unfamiliar with the bully gets bullied he falls
Tune in to the $79.99 pay- Fury, though, not only the fight. The two networks fighters. every time," Fury (29-0-1, 20
per-view to see those somehow managed to pull are combining to show the "It's refreshing to have an- knockouts) said. "Is there
questions answered in a himself up but finished the pay-per-view, as well as other character in your di- anything the Gypsy King
heavyweight fight so big it fight strong. The official de- hosting a flurry of program- vision be able to talk and can't do?"
got a shout-out this week cision was a draw that satis- ming leading up to the promote as well," Wilder Oddsmakers posted the
from Amy Klobuchar in the fied neither fighter, but the bout. said. "A lot of these guys fight as pick 'em with no
Democratic presidential fight was so entertaining it It may not hit the 1.99 mil- don't want to talk and you betting favorite, a rare line
debate. was certain they would do lion pay-per-views that Ty- have to spread the mes- in boxing. The line is ap-
"Boxing is back," promoter it again. son and Lewis combined sage. And the message is propriate, if only because
Bob Arum crowed. "And as Fourteen months later they to sell in 2002, but it's not on Saturday night people these are arguably the
a really important sport, not are doing just that — and for a lack of trying. Both can witness an amazing two best heavyweights in
a niche sport anymore." Wilder (42-0-1, 41 knock- Fury and Wilder talk as fight and, in my case, the the world — and they're
The heavyweight division is outs) said this time Fury well as they fight, and they hardest-hitting puncher in not afraid to meet each
back, too, with Wilder and won't be upright at the have done everything pos- boxing history." other in one of the biggest
Fury topping a list of attrac- end. sible to make themselves That's debatable, of heavyweight showdowns
tive fighters that includes "Round 12 has been living in household names in houses course, but if styles do re- in recent times.
another British fighter, An- his mind a long time," said where boxing is not normal- ally make fights, the two "I know he's coming for a
thony Joshua, and the Wilder, the 2008 Olympic ly discussed. heavyweights should put fight and I'm coming for a
portly yet charming Andy bronze medalist from Bir- That included some push- on a good clash in their re- fight," Fury said. "The fans
Ruiz Jr. mingham, Alabama. "It's al- ing and shoving and trash match. Wilder is predicting are going to be in for a
Wilder and Fury could make ways living in his head. If he talking when they met this a real knockout this time, treat."q

Ortiz: Fiers 'looking like a snitch'

in Astros cheating

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Re- about it?" Ortiz said af- the title special assistant.
tired Boston Red Sox slug- ter arriving at the Red Sox "Why do you have to talk
ger David Ortiz said that spring training complex on about it after? That's my
Astros pitcher Mike Fiers Thursday. "Why didn't you problem. Why did nobody
was "looking like a snitch" talk about it during the sea- say anything while it was
for disclosing the team's son when it was going on? going on?" The Astros were
cheating scandal only af- Why didn't you say, 'I don't found to violate baseball
ter he had left the team. want to be part of it?' rules by using video to steal In this May 25, 2019, file photo, Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike
"Oh, after you make your "So you're looking like a opponents signs during Fiers works against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of a
money, after you get your snitch," said Ortiz, who their World Series champi- baseball game in Oakland, Calif.
ring, you decide to talk works for the Red Sox under onship season of 2017. q Associated Press