Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury: Boxers Make Predictions For Heavyweight Title Fight

Deontay Wilder (40-0) and Tyson Fury (27-0) will finally collide for the World Boxing Council heavyweight title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday night. It's a fight that has been nearly three years in the making, after the two unbeaten heavyweights first faced off in January 2016, and is arguably the biggest contest of the year.

For Wilder, a win over Fury would represent arguably the biggest name on his resume after Luis Ortiz. The American has been criticized for having a padded record, but it will be hard to deny him should he become the first fighter to inflict defeat on Fury. Victory on Saturday night will also ideally put him in line for a long-awaited title unification fight with Anthony Joshua, which if negotiated, could take place at Wembley Stadium, London, in April.

As for Fury, this will be the Briton's first championship fight since he shocked the world to defeat longtime heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. He would later vacate the titles and take a long hiatus due to drug issues and depression. The 30-year-old is still the lineal heavyweight champion though, and while Wilder is a huge step-up from his last two comeback fights, many would argue Fury didn't look impressive leading up to his Klitschko win either. A win would likely result in a Wilder rematch, but should Fury win both times, he could be in line for an all-British showdown with Joshua.

Given that he's only had two fights in the last three years, it's not a surprise to see Fury being the betting underdog. However, there are many boxers who are still predicting he would win. Here are some of their predictions.

Who believes Deontay Wilder will win?

Anthony Joshua, current unified heavyweight champion: “Wilder is a champion now and if he wins, he can do what he wants. If Fury wins, Wilder gets a rematch so it messes up the plans a bit. Nevertheless, Wilder for me. He will win.”

Riddick Bowe, former unified heavyweight champion: “If Wilder comes out and means business then he should beat Fury with ease. My prediction is Wilder by knockout!”

George Foreman, former heavyweight champion: "I am a big fan of Deontay Wilder and I was impressed with Tyson Fury and how he avoided the big shots against Wladimir Klitschko. I can see him going 12 rounds with Wilder because of his height and reach. The great thing about this fight is that we're all talking about it. I think Wilder wins a close decision."

Luis Ortiz, former World Boxing Association interim heavyweight champion​: "If Fury decides he wants to dip and dive and move, then he can extend the fight. But it's all up to Wilder. If Fury decides he wants to come to the middle of the ring and fight, then it's going to be over quick. Wilder is going to catch him. Prediction: Wilder by KO."

David Haye, former unified cruiserweight champion: "Wilder is a sharp shooter. I don't think people quite grasp how accurate and sharp he is. I sparred many rounds with him and I had to be switched on as much as I am switched on in a fight. You have to be on your game otherwise he can hit you and hurt you very fast. If I was forced to put a bet down on current form, you have to go with Deontay Wilder."

Mikey Garcia, four-division champion: "I think that's a very close fight. Tyson Fury is very awkward, big, uses that size advantage very well, punches from different angles. But I still have to think Wilder pulls it off. Wilder has that power where once you get hit, you're going down.

Who believes Tyson Fury will win?

Mike Tyson, former heavyweight champion: “Although Wilder’s punch is strong, nothing can compare to the mental strength Fury has shown both in and out of the ring. It’ll be a close call, but I think Fury’s got a true fighting chance.”

Lennox Lewis, former unified heavyweight champion: "Fury always turns up. I'm not going to short change him on this one so I believe that he should be ready for Deontay."

Amir Khan, former unified light-welterweight world champion​: "Fury is taking such a massive risk fighting Wilder. I just feel like whenever it's time to pull it off, Tyson pulls it off. Everyone underestimated him against Klitschko and he went there and beat him. I know both fighters very well but one thing about Fury is his unorthodox style is going to work for him and is going to cause Wilder a lot of problems. I don't think Fury will stand there and take that one big shot from him, he will be moving from side to side. It's a hard fight to call but I lean a little bit more towards Fury on this night."

Dominick Breazeale, former International Boxing Federation heavyweight title challenger: "I think Fury is going to win the fight, boxing-wise. He's going to box his way to the WBC title. Personally, I want Wilder to win the fight because of the fact that I want to get my hands on him."

Ricky Hatton, former two-division champion: "Tyson has been hit, I think if this fella hits you with that straight right down you will go down and I don’t think you get back up. But will he get that one in? If you asked me where my last pound was going I would say absolutely Tyson Fury.”