WITH the world heavyweight title showdown between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury just a day away, five former or current top fighters – including three heavyweights, one of whom has beaten Klitschko – provide their insightful Wladimir Klitschko v Tyson Fury predictions.
NEXT: Hekkie Budler
Hekkie Budler
WBA straw-weight champion
KLITSCHKO has more experience and better hands, he’s the better all-round boxer. If he fights defensively, Klitschko on points, but if he takes a chance then he’ll get the KO, but if Fury lands he can get the KO himself. Klitschko on points.
NEXT: Malik Scott
Malik Scott
American heavyweight contender
I GOT Wladimir, I don’t think it’s going the distance, he’ll stop Tyson. He’s been here before, this is Tyson’s first stage and when the going gets tough, the tough get going and Wladimir is tougher.
NEXT: Tony Thompson
Tony Thompson
American heavyweight contender
HONESTLY, I think Wladimir blows him out early. He can beat people late but I think he’ll win around the sixth or seventh. I do see Fury giving Wladimir some trouble with his size. Wladimir has seen all types of trouble before though so it won’t be nothing hasn’t dealt with before.
NEXT: Lamon Brewster
Lamon Brewster
Former WBO heavyweight champion who both defeated and lost to Klitschko
I think Fury is going to come out with a lot of emotion and sometimes that doesn’t allow a fighter to think clearly because you take chances and do things you wouldn’t normally do. That will be Fury’s chance too though, if Wladimir gets caught up in the hype, and Fury is a really big guy. But if Wladimir comes out, takes his time and uses his jab, he will end up catching Fury. Klitschko has experience, whereas Fury hasn’t had a lot of big fights so he doesn’t know about the sold-out arenas and the media being in your face. I’d put my money on the horse who has won many races. Fury has shown he can’t really take a punch. When he fought a blown-up cruiserweight in Steve Cunningham, he got dropped. Now he’s facing one of the hardest punchers in the division.
NEXT: Amir Khan
Amir Khan
Former unified super-lightweight champion
My heart says Fury, my mind says Klitschko. They are both very skilful. Fury is unbeaten but he’s never really faced anyone like Klitschko. He’s got the size, reach, strength, power and experience. Maybe Fury might have his hands full but I don’t think Klitschko’s faced anyone as big as Fury with the length and the confidence. Normally when people fight Klitschko they don’t have the confidence, they normally lose before they go in the ring. This time, Fury is walking into the ring thinking he’s the champion! That will play mind games with Klitschko and affect him a little bit. It’s whoever starts the better. Fury’s been put down but he comes back and I just think he might have that luck on his side and pull it off. I lean towards Fury, he can make history by beating Klitschko.
