On Saturday, Tyson Fury puts his WBC and lineal heavyweight titles at stake against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte.
Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) last fought in October, knocking out Deontay Wilder in the 11th round in one of the best heavyweight title fights in boxing history to complete their trilogy with him going 2-0-1 over the "Bronze Bomber." Now, he shifts his focus to his fellow compatriot.
Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) is the current interim WBC titlist. He'd lost the belt to Alexander Povetkin via fifth-round stoppage in August 2020 to snap his 11-fight winning streak. "The Body Snatcher" came back in a violent way, brutally stopping Povetkin with a fourth-round stoppage in their rematch last March. Whyte now gets his long-coveted world title shot.
Who walks out of London with the gold?
DAZN talked with some boxing luminaries who gave their picks.
Claressa Shields: I believe Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight right now. He proved it by taking out my favorite, Deontay Wilder. I believe Dillian Whyte will try to come in there and try to throw very hard shots and try to knock Tyson Fury out. But I see Dillian Whyte gas(sing) out, and I believe that as soon as he gas(ses) out and Tyson Fury smells blood, I believe he’ll go for it, and he’ll be able to handle Dillian Whyte properly.
Prediction: Tyson Fury
Regis Prograis: I have Tyson Fury. Why? Because Tyson Fury is for me the best heavyweight in the world right now. Too big, too strong, too much IQ, too much boxing ability and confidence out the roof.
Prediction: Tyson Fury
Sebastian Fundora: I think Tyson Fury wins. I think there’s no one going to beat him right now. No one’s going to beat him after that Deontay Wilder fight. After those three fights, no one’s going to beat him.
Prediction: Tyson Fury
Sergio Mora: I think we know at this point what Dillian Whyte is. He’s a top contender. We got to give him credit for getting back to the championship. But he loses against champions, especially gold medalists like (Alexander) Povetkin and Anthony Joshua. I think Tyson Fury is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He stops Dillian Whyte (in) under ten rounds.
Prediction: Tyson Fury