Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are set to renew acquaintances on Saturday night in Las Vegas, live on talkSPORT, with the entire boxing world watching closely.
The huge heavyweight title fight has captured the attention of the entire division, prompting opinions from many of the top dogs.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks at what some of heavyweight boxing’s biggest names – past and present – are predicting to happen.
Anthony Joshua: Tyson Fury Win
Joshua told Pep Talk UK: “I think Fury wins. I said it. I think the man that nearly done it the first time won’t get it wrong the second time.
“I think that he came close the first time to the point of a draw, it wasn’t like a 12-round masterclass then got battered in the 12th and that just separated it.
“It was a draw, it was that close. So I just think Tyson Fury is going to correct his wrongs and come back and win.”
Mike Tyson: Backing Tyson Fury
Tyson told BT Sport: “I always root for him because he was named after me. That’s the natural thing to do, right? I’m biased towards him…
“I don’t care how hard you punch, it’s hard to beat somebody who doesn’t wanna quit…
“It’s gonna be a really, really interesting fight and both guys have something to prove. I just wish the best for Tyson Fury, I’m always a Tyson fan.”
David Haye: Deontay Wilder Stoppage
Haye told BT Sport: “Fury boxed brilliantly first time around, that was with Ben Davison in his corner. He doesn’t have Ben in the corner this time.
“In his last fight, he got a couple of horrendous cuts over his eye. That could open up again, which would mean he’d have the same fight with one eye.
“Trying to beat Deontay Wilder with two eyes is tough enough.
“The fact that I’m hearing he’s putting on additional weight, which may slow his mobility down, his speed and reflexes down, I have to go with Deontay Wilder by stoppage.”
Dillian Whyte: Depends On The Game Plan
Whyte said: “I think if Fury boxes it’s a 70/30 fight, maybe a 60/40 fight [in his favour].
“If he tries to go for the KO, he makes it a 60/40 fight for Deontay Wilder or a 70/30 fight for Deontay Wilder. If he boxes it’s the other way around.
“Saying that, Wilder is kinda chinny as well. Every time he gets tagged, he gets rocked. So Fury is a big guy and he could stop him.
“I don’t think that’s a great game plan for Tyson Fury, but I think they’re just saying that to get Wilder to try and box. In boxing a lot of things get said and not a lot of things happen. Let’s see.”
Charles Martin: Deontay Wilder By KO
Martin told Fight Hub: “Fury’s gonna outbox him, he’s gonna do his thing, but Wilder’s gonna hit him with that right hand and it’s probably gonna be lights out.
“He’s been doing it, he’s on a one-punch knockout streak, I’m leaning more to Wilder.
“Look at his track record, the second time he fights them it’s like he’s got them figured out. He’s gonna be like, ‘boom,’ and land that right hand.”
Wladimir Klitschko: Tyson Fury On Points
Fury told The National: “Either Wilder is going to knock out Fury or Fury is going to win on points.
“Personally, I respect Wilder a lot – he was in my training camp, we spent rounds in the ring. He’s a great guy and a fantastic boxer.
“As many knockouts as he has, you’ve probably no one else, in current times, any heavyweights, including me.
“I think, or I wish, that actually Fury, believe it or not, might make it.”
Oleksandr Usyk: Tyson Fury Win
Usyk told Ren TV: “I preferred Tyson Fury in the first fight.
“In the second, I will probably be more inclined towards him.
“He has much more skills than Wilder. But Wilder is such an unpredictable guy who can hit at any moment.”
Lennox Lewis: Deontay Wilder’s Looking Good
Lewis told Boxing Social: “I think it’s gonna be an unbelievable fight, the boxer against the puncher.
“Some people are gonna go for the power, some people are gonna go for the boxer and I love those type of fights.
“Nobody really knows and it really comes down to the crunch, who makes that vital mistake in the fight? Who doesn’t.
“No predictions. I would have to say, right now, Deontay’s looking good.”
