Boxing's heavyweight division has largely been an afterthought in recent years, but the emergence of several talented big men lately has brought relevance back to the sport's most prestigious title. Tonight two of those gifted heavyweights will clash in a battle of undefeated stars, as Tyson Fury takes on Deontay Wilder at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Unlike Wladimir Klitschko, who was nearing retirement when he had his showdown with British star Anthony Joshua, both men in tonight's fight are in the prime of their careers, and thus, will have a variety of interesting future matchup possibilities depending on the outcome of the fight.
Naturally, such a matchup has sparked a variety of opinions on who will prevail. Below are fight predictions from media experts and heavyweight fighters of past and present:
MIKE TYSON
“Although Wilder’s punch is strong, nothing can compare to the mental strength Fury has shown both in and out of the ring. It’ll be a close call, but I think Fury’s got a true fighting chance.”
GEORGE FOREMAN
“I am a big fan of Deontay Wilder and I was impressed with Tyson Fury and how he avoided the big shots against Wladimir Klitschko. I can see him going 12 rounds with Wilder because of his height and reach.
“The great thing about this fight is that we’re all talking about it. I think Wilder wins a close decision.”
MIKE ELLIOTT, TheDailySportsHerald.com
"Wilder is coming into the fight at quite a light weight, but the one overlooked factor in this boxer-puncher matchup is Fury's ring rust. Mentally, he is in a great place having overcome his personal demons, but he had a long layoff, two tune-ups against mediocre opposition, and is likely still not in peak condition after losing well over 100 pounds in the past year.
Meanwhile, Wilder has been active, and thus, should be sharp and confident come fight night. His chin can be suspect at times, he has dealt with hand and biceps injuries, and Fury's boxing skills may frustrate him, but Wilder's one-punch knockout power will ultimately give him the edge.
Wilder wins by knockout in the late rounds."
EVANDER HOLYFIELD
“It’s a great fight. Fury’s got a lot of skills, he’s awkward and he has long arms. He has good reflexes and is a strong counter-puncher. Deontay needs to be first and he can’t wait on Tyson. Tyson’s always been the bigger fighter. In fighting Deontay it’s the same case. If things get difficult, he’s (Fury) got more experience and a lot of tricks. I think with Deontay’s power, he might be able to end it early, but if Tyson can frustrate him and it goes the distance, then it could go his way.”
I feel that Deontay Wilder will win because eventually he'll land that right hand. He's very patient. He's a thinker, but he can also take chances. When people take chances, they win.
Deontay might not have as much experience as we did in our day, but he's got the power. That's what the people want to see and I think they're going to be happy when they see it.
To be the heavyweight champion of the world, and to say you're the best, you have to fight any man."
LENNOX LEWIS
“If it goes the distance then it belongs to Tyson Fury. If it’s a short fight it will belong to Deontay Wilder. This is an epic and most-unpredictable showdown. I can’t wait for this fight.
I think it's going to be a great fight. Deontay Wilder has a terrific right hand and when it lands, not too many people can stand up to it. I also think that you can't hurt what you can't hit. Tyson Fury is not an easy person to hit. He has great ability and movement. I'm going with Deontay early or Fury late.
We all know how it feels to lose the heavyweight championship. We know how hard it is to gain it back. Fury has lost it, and now he wants it back. I can see now that he's sacrificing and saying to himself that he shouldn't have lost it, and now he has to regain it.
I think the view in the U.K. is that Tyson Fury is the man that stepped up. The gauntlet was thrown out there and he stood up for Britain. Deontay came to England to challenge Anthony Joshua, but it was Tyson Fury who answered the call."
MANISH PANDYA, TheDailySportsHerald.com
Fury by decision.
RIDDICK BOWE
“If Wilder comes out and means business then he should beat Fury with ease. My prediction is Wilder by knockout!
"Tyson Fury is skilled and tall, but to me, he doesn't do enough on offense. He moves but he doesn't move his hands enough."
GERRY COONEY
“Deontay Wilder versus Tyson Fury is a very interesting fight. I love Tyson Fury. I think he’s a remarkable self-promoter, and he did a great job with Wladimir Klitschko, using his feints and throwing Klitschko off his game plan.
Deontay is a different kind of fighter, though. Fury fights at 30 miles per hour. Deontay fights at 100 miles per hour. So, when Deontay catches Fury and gets ahold of him I think it’s going to be over. I admire Fury, but I think he’s barking up the wrong tree with this fight. I think the bottom line is that Deontay is a whole different type of beast. He comes in aggressive and finishes his opponents. I hate to pick, but somebody has to lose. I’m picking Deontay by knockout and I think it ends inside of four or five rounds.”
I think it's a great fight tomorrow night. We know that Fury is coming back motivated. If Wilder finds a home for that right, he's going to take Fury out. I think he's going to connect at some point during the fight.
I think Tyson Fury is a great man for how far he's come back in his life and for standing up to Deontay Wilder. Fury called him out, so maybe he knows something we don't know."
KJ TURKSON, TheDailySportsHerald.com
Wilder by TKO.
LUIS ORTIZ JR.
“If Fury decides he wants to dip and dive and move, then he can extend the fight. But it’s all up to Wilder. If Fury decides he wants to come to the middle of the ring and fight, then it’s going to be over quick. Wilder is going to catch him. Prediction: Wilder by KO.”
MICHAEL SPINKS
"May the best man win. I don't know who's in the best of shape but I think Fury being out of the ring makes me lean toward Deontay Wilder. If Fury is as big in person as they say he is, he's got a great chance.
If you're the underdog, you just have to go on what you know and what you've worked on. You can't pay attention to the doubters. You focus on what you've prepared yourself for and give it your all. I always saw myself winning. It's the greatest feeling to come out of the ring victorious."
EARNIE SHAVERS
"Me and Deontay are both from Alabama. I'll be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame soon and Deontay will be there one day as well. Deontay is a great puncher and I'm pulling for him tomorrow night.
I fought in a great era. If you fight guys on the same level, you'll get good fights. These guys today could get in there in our day and put on a good show."
BUSTER DOUGLAS
"I think this is going to be a good competitive fight. If I had to pick, I'd take Deontay Wilder by knockout in the eighth round.
I feel like Tyson Fury has already won by battling back and getting into great shape and being in this position. I'm sure many people thought they'd never see him back here. That's a victory in itself."
CHRIS ARREOLA
“I think Wilder fighting Ortiz and now Fury back-to-back gives the fans exciting fights. I like both Wilder and Fury, but for this fight I am leaning slightly toward Wilder to win.”
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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