So it's the 'Man of Steel' versus 'Batman' this weekend in Dusseldorf!
The vocal challenger, Tyson Fury (24-0), 27-years-old from Manchester, is full of confidence going into this heavyweight showdown with reigning WBA Super, IBF, WBO, and IBO World heavyweight title champion, Wladimir Klitschko (64-3), 39-years-old, at the Esprit Arena in Germany, home to Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The two were supposed to go toe-to-toe in the squared circle earlier this year before a calf injury felled the heavyweight king, forcing him to withdraw. The ageing yet still astounding athlete, Klitschko is the favourite at 1-4 while Fury can be taken at 3-1. If you fancy the draw on the night, it's currently standing at 33-1.
Active professional boxers, coaches, managers and experts from the world of boxing share their verdicts exclusively with BBN below:
Tommy Langford (14-0)
WBO Inter-Continental middleweight champion@Tommy_Langford1
"I honestly think Tyson Fury to win this! The reason is that age does catch up to you eventually and although he physically looks good, he is old now and hasn’t been that active of late. Klitschko doesn’t like the fact that Fury’s making a mockery of this fight, larking around in press conferences and he’s winning the mental battle, he's in his element at the moment! I don’t think the approach to this fight is what he's used to, everyone says Klitschko's got a big right hand on him, but Fury is the first to get in the ring with him who's a bigger man so he won't be able to dictate behind that big double jab as normal. Plus I think Fury fights at a high pace, he throws a lot punches and will catch him with that longer reach and could win the early rounds because he is younger and fresher, and Klitschko could end up coming forward and walk onto something. Fury could either ride out a points win or could even knock him out. He comes across a bit like a fruit loop you but you love him and you want him in the sport because he brings a bit of fresh air to boxing."
Wayne Adeniyi (11-0)
Central Area cruiserweight champion@WayneAdeniyi
"You've got to go for Klitschko because of his experience and performances of late, but I'm going to go for Fury and will have a couple of quid on him, myself. He's a bit more rhythmic and slicker than Klitschko is but Wlad's a better athlete for sure, and don't get me wrong, he's a brilliant boxer but I'll go with Fury just as a longshot because I think he could have the style to beat him."
Lloyd Ellett (17-1)
Three-time Masters champion@lightningbolt07
"I keep changing my mind, obviously I want Fury to win. He's a big, awkward fighter that switches from orthodox to southpaw, he's not just got the one game plan. Klitschko, however, has just done too much in his career. You might get a Klitschko that jabs and grabs for 12 rounds or you might get the same Klitschko that fought Pulev and then I think Fury could get knocked out. If he knows he's got to turn it on then he will."
Nick Webb (3-0)
Unbeaten heavyweight@itsanickting
"Looking forward to this heavyweight clash! Will be great to see Klitschko have to deal with someone taller who is also an awkward customer. I think Wlad will win on points and also get a knockdown due to Fury being so awkward and his art to survive."
Sam Smith (Debutant)
Light-heavyweight@SniperSamSmith
"I think Fury will win on points but he will have to win well over there with them judges. He's bigger, fresher, hungrier and he has so much self-belief and you can't buy that. Fury has tonnes of heart and even when he's been dropped in the past, he has come back and not only to win but to knock them out. He is a true fighting man and that's why I'm backing him."
Dean Gillen (2-1)
Middleweight@TeamDeanoPro
"I actually fancy Fury's chances of causing an upset! Tyson is cleverer than he gets credit for and he knows boxing. Tactics will be key, his size combined with un-predictable style will cause Klitschko problems. I think Fury will stop Klitschko with a cut or win on points!"
Johnny Greaves (4-96)
Manager@johnnygreaves
"Tyson will start well but as soon as Klitschko finds his range in the later rounds then he'll come on strong, I even think it'll be a knockout between rounds 8-12. The bigger fighters he has faced he comes out aggressive, at some point Tyson will walk onto a big right hand."
George Lacey
KICCA Sports @GeorgeLacey_
"Tough one for Tyson as Wladimir always finds a way to jab his opponents senseless. As long as Tyson is disciplined and tries to box, he'll definitely have a chance in the latter rounds where an 'old' Klitschko as Fury said, will be more open to the counter. Would love Tyson to pull it off but my head says Wladimir on points as Tyson would have to dominate to enter the judges thinking on the cards."
Tim Rickson
TR Sports@TimRickson
"I love Fury's character, he oozes confidence and self-assurance in everything he does, whether it's a performance in the ring or dressed as the Batman beating up the joker123 during the middle of a press conference! I know that he is a big underdog going into this fight but the operative word there is 'big'. I do give the self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King' a chance due to his size advantage over the reigning heavyweight champ. I hope it goes the distance and that Fury pushes the Ukrainian, at least testing his chin like Mariusz Wach did in 2012 when he almost knocked him out in the fifth round, being the only other challenger with a size advantage over the champion. However, this is in Wlad's back yard and he has the greater experience at world level, power, and that vital home diificult advantage over Fury. For me, Klitschko wins on points…as per."
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