Pick It: World Champion Tyson Fury vs. TBRB #3 Dillian Whyte (Saturday, ESPN PPV, 2:00 PM EST)
It’s an expensive few weeks for boxing fans. In roughly four weeks, boxing fans who wanted to see Errol Spence-Yordenis Ugas, Fury-Whyte, and Saul Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol will have been asked to spend north of $200. Given existing streaming and/or cable package prices, it’s a lot to ask of fans. This one might be the most head scratching on this side of the pond but an interesting test of where the 33-year old Fury (31-0-1, 22 KO) stands in the US market without Deontay Wilder, especially with a midday start time on the east coast for the card.
It’s a good match regardless, with Fury attempting the eighth defense of his lineal title reign (or second defense of his second reign…debate away). He’ll face one of the most deserving and long serving contenders in the division.
The 34-year old Whyte (28-2, 19 KO) makes his first start since avenging a knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin. Whyte’s only other loss was via stoppage to Anthony Joshua in 2015. Whyte is the underdog but he’s made some thrillers over the years with memorable battles against Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker. It’s two of the best heavyweights in the world but history’s crown. It’s hard to ask for much more.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday - Zucco vs. Nikolic (DAZN, 2:00 PM EST)
Afternoon action from Italy has been something of a norm for DAZN and this time it’s coming with a main event in the super middleweight division. 26-year old Ivan Zucco (15-0, 13 KO) is off to a promising start and has a solid veteran ahead of him. 33-year old Marko Nikolic (28-1, 12 KO) suffered his only loss, by stoppage, last year but has since rebounded with a regrouping win.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
