Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury: Round-by-Round Prediction

It was not the heavyweight title fight that many were expecting to close out 2018, but Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are promising an exciting fight with the American's WBC title on the line for a Dec. 1 showdown at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The unbeaten Wilder (40-0, 39 KO's) is facing Fury, who is also undefeated (27-0, 19 KO's), but the Englishman is fighting for just the third time following a two-year hiatus.

Let's go round-by-round.

Round 1: Fury is moving around the ring and outboxing Wilder on the outside, who is trying to feel out his opponent.

Winner: Fury 10-9

Round 2: Fury has another solid performance in Round 2, but eats a couple hard power shots from Wilder, who may have stolen the round.

Winner: Fury 20-18

Round 3: Wilder connects with a couple of solid hooks. Fury took them well, but he felt the power behind them, and ties up Wilder on the inside.

Winner: Wilder 29-28

Round 4: Fury landing solid jabs on the outside. He is starting to target the body more and Wilder connects on a few body shots of his own.

Winner: Fury 39-37

Round 5: Wilder rocks Fury with a right hand. Fury holding on. He probably won't be able to take too much more of those.

Winner: Wilder 48-47

Round 6: Fury is boxing well, but is still getting clipped by Wilder's right hand. Keep in mind, Fury has been knocked down twice in his career, both from right hands. Wilder still allowing Fury to grab a hold of him on the inside.

Winner: Wilder 58-56

Round 7: A huge right hand and down goes Fury. He's back up, but his legs don't look very good. He gets saved by the bell.

Winner: Wilder 68-64

Round 8: Fury is still hurt, but he somehow finds a way to keep Wilder off of him in the eighth round. Wilder taking a breather.

Winner: Fury: 77-74

Round 9: Down goes Fury for the second time in the fight. Fury is up, but here comes Wilder for the kill. Fury is out on his feet. The referee stops the fight and Wilder defends his WBC heavyweight title.

Result: Wilder by ninth-round TKO