Adjustments for both fighters in Fury Wilder II?

What adjustments should each fighter make in the next fight? Who will have an easier time making the adjustments?

Fury:

One huge thing for Fury I see, the rest much lower level and to some extent I'm of mixed mind.

#1 by far. Both times he was knocked down were when he was dipping. It's probably too central to his style against Wilder to eliminate entirely, but he needs to tone down on it considerably, and make his execution less predictable when he does it. Preferably, he needs to just lean/retreat back in most of these moments, and smother more when he is close to or against the ropes. When he did that, Wilder was never able to catch him. When he smothered Wilder, he bullied the hell out of him. I'm not rooting for a considerably more negative fight, with a lot more clinching, but a small but strategic increase in its use would help Fury a lot, imo.

#2. Aggression. He was hurting Wilder at times in the latter half of the fight. I don't think he should make a dramatic change in his overall approach, but I think he can afford to be a little more aggressive at each stage. He can wear Wilder down more and get a late stoppage if he could just increase the output a bit.

#3. Weight. I'm conflicted here. I don't think he should get down much lower, his girth helps him absorb punishment and bully Wilder, both of which were critical, but he if he could just get in a little better conditioning it could help. Maybe 252 an ideal weight? Just a bit lower, but better conditioned.

Wilder:

Like with Fury, one extremely important adjustment for Wilder and the rest more debatable.

#1 by far. Try timing Fury's dips etc better. If Fury keeps doing the same thing, Wilder can practice for it better and be better prepared for what he already had success with. That said, while there was an element of predictability to his dips, fatigue from Fury played a role in Wilder catching him. His motions are so herky jerky it is easier to SAY you can prepare for it and time it than actually achieve it. Still, if Fury remains predicable here (or as predictable as Fury can get), this is a huge opportunity for Wilder to prepare better and get the ko next time.

#2. Gain a little bulk. He was pushed around and appeared fatigued at numerous points in the latter half of the fight. I'm of mixed mind on this, because his best chance is retaining the speed he needs to catch Fury, but the 210's just appear to light for his frame and I don't think he's operating at his optimal level. He should be at least 220 for the next fight.

#3. Try to tag Fury's body a bit more in the early rounds. I'm sure some people will think he should try to throw more punches and win more rounds against Fury next time. Maybe, but I think that might just mean he puts himself at a disadvantage more often, gets beat up quicker, and risks his own KO more. Fury will always outbox him. I think his best chance is to make the fight go long again, allow Fury to get fatigued and a bit sloppy again, and surprise him again and ko or at least kd him more often. I think if he targets the body early, he can sap some strength from Fury for the later stages and also make Fury less conscious of the head hunting that can and should come later. Still a risk, though, as Fury will counter and make Wilder pay for it.

What do others think are the best adjustments? Who do you see having an easier time making adjustments? I think if Fury can make his adjustment #1, he probably has the advantage. But then, I'm rooting for Fury, so I freely admit some bias.

 

Good point on the feint. I totally disagree that Fury shouldn't move backwards away from Wilder's right, though. Every time he moved backwards he completely avoided Wilder's shots. The only times he got caught were when he was dipping. Maybe move laterally to his right more in instances where he was dipping, but I'm not sure there is always adequate space for that.

 

@KiwiMan and @CST80 ? Would be interested in what you see both fighters doing to adjust next time and who you think has an easier job of making the adjustments

 

Agree 100%. Do you think the rematch will happen or that AJ will get one of them next?