SO, WHO WILL WIN?
THE biggest names in boxing deliver their verdicts on tonight’s heavyweight title showdown in Dusseldorf...
LENNOX LEWIS FORMER UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
This could be a really good fight. If it was me, I’d step forward and knock out Tyson Fury and I think Wladimir Klitschko is going to stop him as well. The challenge is that Fury is a big guy and when has Klitschko fought someone so big? It could take him a few rounds to get used to that size but with his experience I think he will. Fury is unpredictable enough to cause problems but I’d say Klitschko in the mid-to-late rounds.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO BY STOPPAGE
ANTHONY JOSHUA
OLYMPIC CHAMPION
I see there being a lot of action — not a quiet fight. Fury throws a lot of punches and will come out with nothing to lose but Klitschko is very athletic. I can see Klitschko coming out victorious as his ultimate class will show through, but how amazing would it be if Fury won, if nothing else because of his character?
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO LATE STOPPAGE
GEORGE GROVES
WORLD-TITLE CONTENDER
Fury has got hand speed on his side and he has genuine power and stature, whereas David Haye was the smaller guy on the night. That will help but I think Klitschko is just too good. Because of Tyson’s temperament, he won’t try to nick points, which means he will be left open for Wladimir’s shots. I think it will finish by stoppage.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO BY KO
CARL FROCH FORMER SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
I want Fury to do it but I can’t see it. Fury is big enough and strong enough and I think he has a chance. But Klitschko can outbox him and keep him away with the jab. I reckon it will go to points but I’ll go for Klitschko to take it.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO ON POINTS
DAVID HAYE
(below) FORMER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Either Fury will get knocked out in one to three rounds — he’ll do something stupid or get caught with a big shot and go down. He’ll get back but then just get battered. Or it’ll be a wide, boring points decision for Klitschko. I can see it being a real grab-fest so I’ll go for points.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO ON POINTS
JAMES DeGALE IBF SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
I like Fury a lot, he’s a character who is good for boxing and people talk about him. But it’s hard to bet against Klitschko isn’t it? He’s been so strong and dominant for so long now and it’s in Germany.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO ON POINTS
TONY BELLEW
BRITISH CRUISERWEIGHT
On paper it’s an easy victory for Klitschko but I believe there’s something about Fury. I don’t know what it is, maybe he’s destined to be world champion. I have a lot of admiration and respect for Klitschko but it’s hard to beat a man when he truly believes in himself and Fury believes 100 per cent he’s going to be world champion.
VERDICT: FURY BY KO
RICKY HATTON FORMER TWO-WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
I’m going for Fury to win. As good as Klitschko is, he’s never fought anyone bigger than him before, so you have to wonder how he will cope boxing upwards. Tyson has absolute belief in himself and that is important. No one gave me a chance against Kostya Tszyu and I got it done. I can see Tyson doing the same.
VERDICT: FURY
ANTHONY OGOGO OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST AND UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHT
Fury doesn’t hit hard enough and isn’t explosive enough to cause the wily old champion problems. Klitschko wins a sometimes drab, scrappy, foul-filled affair on points.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO ON POINTS
LEE SELBY
IBF FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Fury has a very good chance of beating Klitschko because he’s past his prime. Fury has the boxing ability and the speed to beat Klitschko. But I don’t think Fury hits hard enough to stop Klitschko so if I was putting money on it I would go with Fury on points.
VERDICT: FURY ON POINTS
KELL BROOK
IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
It’s an interesting one. Fury is crazy enough to win this fight, I really believe that. There is not one bit of fear in him and not many could say the same. He can go in there and swing away and is not worried about the consequences — he is convinced he will win and that makes him dangerous. It reminds me a bit of Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston — no one gave Ali a chance. But I have to lean towards Klitschko by three or four rounds. He is a machine.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO ON POINTS
SCOTT QUIGG WBA SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
My head says Klitschko but I want Fury to win. I like Fury because he can do a bit of everything, like coming forward and swinging or being cute. I don’t think he will do a David Haye and fight on the back foot. He is smart enough to change his style and he is good at sussing out a fighter. Also, you have to go back a long way to find when Klitschko last fought someone his size. Fury has a good chance and if it goes to points I think he would win, but I reckon Klitschko will win it by KO.
VERDICT: KLITSCHKO BY KO
TOTAL: KLITSCHKO 9-3 FURY