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Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte: This amazing stretch of combat sports continues with a current pound-for-pound great in Tyson Fury returning to the ring to defend his heavyweight championship belts against a formidable opponent and fellow United Kingdom native Dillian Whyte. This bout will be taking place at the iconic Wembley Stadium. It will not only be a spectacle but what goes on inside the ring might outshine the surrounding atmosphere of this massive event.
-589 ENG Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs): 6’9”, 273-pounds – 85-inch Wingspan – 33 y/o:
Key attributes: Undefeated, World-Class Footwork, Proven Performer on Big Stages, One of the Longest Wingspans in Boxing History.
+350 ENG Dillian Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs): 6’4”, 250-pounds – 78-inch Wingspan – 34 y/o:
Key attributes: Only Career Losses to Elite Competition, Big Time Power in His Hooks, Smells the Finish After a Big Shot
WHO WILL WIN? What a sight it will be when 94,000 screaming fans witness WBO and Ringside Heavyweight Champ Tyson Fury, as he takes on top challenger Dillian Whyte. This is yet another chapter of this amazing ride better known as Tyson Fury’s career. Whyte is a very respectable opponent and has cannons for arms. Fury, on the other hand, has pleaded that this is the best training camp he has ever had.
Whyte has fought top competition for years now and the few blips he has had in his career have only made him more resilient. Following a knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin, Whyte became a better fighter. He not only lost weight but also became faster and put away Povetkin with pressure and power. It’s going to be a scene of a lifetime inside Wembley, but I expect Fury to maintain composure and to weather any storm that Whyte may throw in his direction. Fury has his legendary footwork use and pivoting ability to avoid being cornered by his opponent. Once the fight reaches the middle rounds, I can see Fury starting to press the gas and launch heavy artillery toward Whyte.
By the 10th round, I see Fury putting away Whyte because of the jab work he would have laid down earlier in the fight. Ultimately those same jabs will turn into power shots that end the fight. That is how I see FURY WINNING.
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WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? +175 YES, -250 NO
It's a rarity for top-ranked heavyweights to see the final bell after 12 rounds of missiles being hurled toward each other. Fury is very active for his enormous size. He can march down his opponent or he can evade and counter without pause.
Whyte’s best chance to win is within the first four rounds. Once the fight starts to develop its identity around the middle rounds, I expect Fury to take over and expose Whyte’s gas tank with his footwork and with his gradual sting from his fastball. Fury’s faced elite competition over the last five years and he should have been wise to take Whyte seriously.
Obviously, there’s a puncher's chance - especially at heavyweight - and some boxing insiders are worried about a letdown of sorts post-Wilder. However, I’d say to them that it’d be pretty embarrassing for Fury to flush his defensive habits down the drain in front of a massive local crowd. The “Gypsy King” returns home and keeps the crown via stoppage in the 9th-Round.
THE FIGHT DOES NOT GO THE DISTANCE.
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