Talking almost over for Wilder, Fury showdown

The best fights come with questions, and there are many surrounding Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury as they meet in a rematch that is arguably the biggest heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis destroyed Mike Tyson 18 years ago in Memphis.

The best fighters usually end up providing the answers, and that’s what makes tomorrow’s showdown must-see TV even for those who are only casual fans.

Can Fury outbox Wilder again like he did in the first fight, which ended in a draw? Can Wilder land the same kind of devastating punches that left Fury flat on his back in the 12th round of that fight, seemingly for good, in the 11th defence of his title?

Can one heavyweight rule the roost and give boxing the champion – and division – the sport has been thirsting for all these years?

‘‘Boxing is back,’’ promoter Bob Arum crowed. ‘‘And as a really important sport, not a niche sport anymore.’’

The heavyweight division is back, too, with Wilder and Fury topping a list of attractive fighters that includes another British fighter, Anthony Joshua, and the portly yet charming Andy Ruiz Jr.

Wilder and Fury could make US$40 million (NZ$63.4 million) each in their eagerly anticipated rematch, and there are plenty of heavyweight matchups to get people talking about the big guys once again.

And big they are, with Wilder checking in at 6ft 7in and 230 pounds of frightful power. Fury is more of a boxer but even bigger at 6ft 9in and 270 pounds, which he reminded Wilder of as they stood in a toe-to-toe face off at Wednesday’s (Thursday NZT) final prefight news conference to promote the bout.

‘‘Look how small you are, you midget,’’ Fury barked at Wilder.

‘‘You’re the one who was on the ground,’’ Wilder replied. ‘‘I was standing on top of you.’’

That’s exactly where Wilder was in the 12th round in the first fight in

Los Angeles, and he thought Fury wasn’t getting up. With good reason, because the other fighters he has knocked out during his career — 41 of the 42 he faced before Fury, to be exact — didn’t.

Fury, though, not only somehow managed to pull himself up but finished the fight strong. The official decision was a draw that satisfied neither fighter, but the fight was so entertaining it was certain they would do it again.

Fourteen months later they are doing just that.