The time for talking is nearly over as the venturesome Tyson Fury jets over the other side of the pond in a bid to usurp WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder on his own patch.
The duo have, unsurprising, been at loggerheads throughout the build-up to the bout as both fighters put their unbeaten professional records on the line in Los Angeles.
Each fighter is understandably supremely confident in their own prospects at the Staples Centre, but how do other boxers think the fight will go?
In a video posted by BT Sport a host of former and current British boxing stars had their say.
We’ll kick off with the legendary last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Lennox Lewis:
“Fury always turns up - “I believe he’s going to be ready for Deontay.”
However, another former heavyweight champion in David Haye was of a different viewpoint:
“Wilder has had, pretty much, a perfect three years whereas Tyson Fury unfortunately hasn’t. If I was a betting man I’d have to go with consistency in Deontay Wilder.”
Former two-weight world champion, Carl Frampton:
“I think Fury’s movement will cause problems. It’s hard to write him off, I hope he wins, but I fancy Wilder.”
Josh Warrington, who defends his IBF featherweight title against Frampton just before Christmas, was in agreement with his Northern Irish opponent.
“Wilder might just pop him. He’s been more active over the years and is a bit fresher.”
Ex-WBO light-middleweight champ, Liam Smith:
“If you’d asked me after Fury beat (Wladimir) Klitschko I’d have said Fury. But I have to stick with my guns and say Wilder.
Boxing icon Ricky Hatton, a friend of Fury, had this to say:
“Tyson has been hit but if this fella (Wilder) with that straight right hand you’ll be down and I don’t think you’ll be back up. But will he get that one in? If you asked me where my last pound was going I’d say absolutely Tyson Fury.
WBC Silver middleweight title champ, Martin Murray:
“For the way he (Fury) moves for such a big guy, Wilder has never come across anything like that so I’m going Fury points.
Rocky Fielding, the WBA (Regular) super middleweight champion, who faces Canelo Alvarez in just under three weeks time:
“I’ll stick with Fury. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a good fight who can spoil fighters, and can make you fight the way he wants to.”
Nathan Gorman, the undefeated heavyweight cousin of Fury:
“Tyson is a natural talent and I do believe he’ll make Wilder miss, and make him pay.”
Jamie Moore, former British, European and Commonwealth light middleweight champion:
“If I had to bet on it I’d say Tyson Fury, but you can never write Deontay Wilder off with his punching power.”
Tommy Fury, Tyson’s brother who is set to turn professional at light-heavyweight on the Josh Warrington v Carl Frampton undercard:
“I’m not going to sit here and Wilder is going to KO him. But Tyson, I believe, has got the skill at 60% of his game to outclass any man on the planet. If he’d have been fighting regularly it would be a mismatch.”
So there you have it. Those asked voted 7-4 in favour of Fury, although it’s worth noting that a couple are related to him!
Check out the video below.
