By Keith Idec

LAS VEGAS – Tyson Fury is certain he defeated Deontay Wilder the first time they fought.

Now that the lineal heavyweight champion is in better condition and is as active as he has ever been as a professional, Fury is confident their rematch will be even easier for him than their first fight. The Wilder-Fury rematch is likely to take place in the beginning of 2020, if Fury wins his next fight and Wilder wins his rematch versus Luis Ortiz in October or November.

England’s Fury discussed facing the hard-hitting Wilder again during a post-fight press conference late Saturday night at MGM Grand.

“You know, Deontay Wilder is coming,” said Fury, who stopped Tom Schwarz in the second round at MGM Grand Garden Arena. “This fight’s gonna happen. There was three horses in the heavyweight division. And then there was two. And I already beat him once, so I’ll beat him again and again and again. And he ain’t gonna fight 50 percent of Tyson Fury anymore. He’s gonna get a fully-match fit, back-active, back-sharp Tyson Fury.”

Wilder floored Fury twice – once apiece in the ninth and 12th rounds – when they met December 1 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fury got up both times and battled Wilder to a controversial split draw.

 Judge Robert Tapper scored their 12-round fight for Fury, 114-112. Judge Alejandro Rochin thought Wilder won, 115-111. Judge Phil Edwards had it even (113-113).

Two of those judges scored more rounds for Fury, but Wilder’s power was the equalizer.

“You know, it’s heavyweight boxing and anything can happen at any given moment,” Fury said. “But the way I box, and my style, I think it’s kryptonite for anybody. As long as you don’t knock me out, which you’ve seen it can happen – but you’ve gotta keep me down. If they don’t do that, then I’ll keep winning.”

The 30-year-old Fury (28-0-1, 20 KOs) won easily against Germany’s Schwarz (24-1, 16 KOs).

He knocked down his unbeaten but unknown opponent with a right-left combination in the second round. A bloodied Schwarz was able to get up, but Fury swarmed him, and referee Kenny Bayless stopped their scheduled 12-rounder at 2:54 of the second round.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.