Tyson Fury promised to knockout Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas following a unanimous points victory over Francesco Pianeta.
The duo have been teasing a potential bout for months with various verbal spats on social media. Wilder became embroiled in a heated exchange with Fury’s squad during the weigh in on Friday, and was then ringside for the fight, on commentary for Showtime Sports.
Promoter Frank Warren promised that details of the fight will be revealed next week, but the bout is expected to take place in November or December Las Vegas, although New York is an option.
Fury has fought in the States once before, back in 2013 when he knocked out Steve Cunningham in the seventh round of their duel in New York, while each of Wilder’s last nine fights have all come on home soil. In total the American's amassed 40 wins from 40 fights, winning 39 by KO, beating the other - Canada’s Bermane Stiverne - on points in a unanimous decision.
The heavyweights can barely be separated in the betting, with Fury priced at 10/11 and Wilder at 5/6, while a draw is priced at 33/1.
Fury vowed to make Italian sausage of Pianeta and headed into the bout as the scorching hot 1/100 favourite to maintain his 100% winning record and in the process extend his victorious streak to 27 wins out of 27 fights. But, while it wasn’t a spectacular performance by any means, Fury dominated the fight from start to finish and came out on top via a unanimous points decision.
Fury, a former unified world heavyweight champion, was joined by Billy Joe Saunders and Ricky Hatton on his ring walk as he came out to Live Your Life and then Sweet Home Alabama - where Wilder just so happens to come from - whereas Pianeta opted for We will Rock You.
Fury exploded out the blocks, and in the first round put is hands on the ropes as he willed his opponent to land a blow. The visibly trimmer looking Fury looked sharp, quick and slick in the opening rounds while his sluggish opponent lost heart as the bout progressed, although while there was no stunning knockout, Fury won every single round and will be pleased with his display, although Pianeta offered little.
