Tyson Fury has been home since defeating Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight title in 2015, but never like this.
Fury’s biggest moments have all come on the road. He beat Klitschko in Germany. All three chapters of his career-defining series with Deontay Wilder happened in the United States.
This time, the big moment happens on Fury’s turf against a domestic rival. North of 94,000 fans will pack Wembley and Fury has prepared for the occasion. The champion is the lightest he’s been since he scaled in the low-250s for his battle with Tom Schwarz. Is challenger Dillian Whyte as prepared?
Whyte has been out of the ring since a revenge knockout of Alexander Povetkin in March 2021 and hit the scales roughly six pounds heavier. Whyte fluctuates between the mid-240s and has been as high as 271. That’s a long way of saying he’s shown up ready for this one as well. A professional since 2011, Whyte is getting his first major title shot and given how long it’s been he may have a single shot to get it done.
Can Whyte make it count?
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Tyson Fury
Age: 33
Titles: Lineal World Heavyweight (2015-Present, 7 defenses); TBRB/Ring/WBC (2020-Present; 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: TBRB/Ring/WBA/IBF/WBO (2015-16)
Height: 6’9
Weight: 264 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Record: 31-0-1, 22 KO
Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0-1, 2 KO (7-0-1, 4 KO including lineal title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 148-1-2 (.987)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Wladimir Klitschko UD12; Deontay Wilder D12, TKO7, KO11
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Steve Cunningham KO7
Vs.
Dillian Whyte
Age: 34
Title/Previous Titles: None
Height: 6’4
Weight: 253 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Brixton, London, United Kingdom
Record: 28-2, 19 KO, 2 KOBY
Press Rankings: #3 (TBRB), #4 (Ring), #6 (ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: 1st title fight (2-1, 1 KO, 1 KOBY including interim title fights
Last Five Opponents: 161-17-2 (.900)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Anthony Joshua TKO by 7; Joseph Parker UD12; Alexander Povetkin KO by 5, TKO4
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Oscar Rivas UD12
The Pick: Whyte has won twelve of his last thirteen starts but the one loss raises at least one red flag heading into the weekend. Trainer and BoxingScene contributor Stephen Edwards often notes that the puncher in any given fight is the man who can take the other guy’s shots better. Both Whyte and Fury have shown they can be hurt. Whyte has survived rough patches against Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora but was less lucky against Anthony Joshua and Povetkin the first time. Sometimes, Whyte doesn’t get up. So far, Fury always does. Along with advantages in height and reach, Fury has also been more durable with better recuperative powers.
Fury also is the more versatile fighter. Whyte can employ a good jab and has a mean left hook. Whyte will bring the fight at some point and it would be no surprise if he has some moments that add real drama to the event. Still, Fury is the rare fighter who can be genuinely world class employing wildly divergent strategies. Fury can box at range, in the trenches, off the back foot, or pressing the action. If Fury can contain Whyte’s left, then it’s just a matter of time before Fury puts together the finishing touches. The pick is Fury by stoppage.
Rold Picks 2022: 17-4
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
