Betting Odds Favor Tyson Fury Against Deontay Wilder For Potential December Fight

Despite just one fight in nearly three years, Tyson Fury is opening up as the betting favorite against World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

After a title unification clash with unified champion Anthony Joshua was off the cards, Wilder seemingly turned his attention to another undefeated Briton as Fury revealed in a Twitter post Monday that a deal for a December fight is almost done.

"I can confirm that me and Deontay Wilder are in negotiations. Very close to being done," Fury said in a video. "It is out there now and I can reveal that negotiations are being very strong for December. We're almost done with this deal."

Fury, a former World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion, returned to action for the first time in 31 months when he defeated Sefer Seferi last month.

He is scheduled to face Italy's Francesco Pianeta on Aug. 18 next as he continues his return to the top level in boxing after "anti-doping and medical issues" saw him take time away from the sport.

The "Gypsy King" is not looking past Pianeta either, but views him as the ideal opponent to face before Wilder, promising the American that unlike Joshua, he is a man of his word and will face him.

"I won't be looking over Francesco Pianeta. He's going to give me the right fight and work to prepare me for Deontay Wilder," Fury added. "Got to flatten him first and then Wilder, let's dance. I am a man of my word, and if I say I'll fight, I will fight you."

As per Sky Bet, Fury is surprisingly a -150 betting favorite while the more active Wilder, who has fought four times in the last two years, is a +110 underdog.

While those odds may not have been a surprise when Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to become champion and later challenged Wilder, it definitely is now, especially as the Manchester native is still not at his peak weight as he continues to shed the pounds he gained during his time away from the sport.

His promoter, Frank Warren however, believes Fury is ready to compete against Wilder and his next fight will show that.

"We are close to making this happen. Is it too soon? The next fight will give us the answer," Warren told the BBC. "The way Tyson is looking in the gym, he's lost another couple of stone, he's very focused. Tyson doesn't care where it happens. He'll fly to the States if needed."

"If I didn't think he was ready I wouldn't put him forward. If he comes through the Pianeta fight in August, I expect him to fight Wilder before the end of the year. He wants it. He feels good about everything. He's in a good place at the moment both physically and mentally."

If the contest takes place, the winner could ideally face Joshua in a lucrative April bout at Wembley Stadium for all the heavyweight titles and determine the undisputed king of the division.