When it comes to Boxing’s Heavyweight division, it is not
always easy to frame a fight as one fighter attempting to upset another because
the Heavyweight division as much as any division in the sport is associated
with the notion that “Anything Can Happen At Any Given Time” as this observer
has often said over the many years I have covered combat sports. There are
times however, when such a description is still appropriate, particularly in
the case of a fighter who has long been regarded as either a long-reigning
world champion and/or one of the cornerstones of the division.
In the case of undefeated WBC Heavyweight world champion
Tyson Fury, he has had two separate reigns as a Heavyweight world champion that
has stretched over several years. Coming off of his second knockout win over
Deontay Wilder in a trilogy in which Fury became a two-time world champion in
winning two of the three bouts, there may not be much left for the champion to
accomplish beyond the ever-elusive goal of becoming undisputed Heavyweight
champion of the world. Before Fury can set his sights on that goal however, he
must first fulfill an obligation that all world champions throughout the sport
must do annually. Defend his title against a mandatory challenger. Fury will do
just that as he will make the second defense of his WBC crown against number
one WBC Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte on Saturday, April 23rd
at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
The fight, which can be seen here in the United States on
ESPN+ Pay-Per-View has a storyline that is not unlike the one that proceeded
Fury’s first world title win against then unified IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO Heavyweight world
champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. Can
the challenger upset a fighter viewed as a division cornerstone? In the case of
Klitschko-Fury now several years ago, it was a scenario of Fury being able to
dethrone a longtime world champion that was on the verge of a potentially
historic reign in terms of consecutive title defenses. As most knowledgeable
Boxing fans know, Fury would relinquish the then unified crown shortly after
defeating Klitschko due to struggles with his mental health. While Fury was never
defeated and subsequently went on to regain a portion of the World Heavyweight
championship in his second of three bouts with Deontay Wilder, this is a
slightly different scenario in that Dillian Whyte is not looking to dethrone a
champion that has had a long reign over the division, but rather a two-time
world champion that has in one way or another, been a focal point of the
division for several years.
It is perhaps that standing in the division in addition
to Fury's two stoppage victories over Wilder that will make him a significant
favorite going into this fight. There are however, a few things to consider as
this fight approaches. Firstly, and perhaps the most obvious, what kind of
condition will the champion be in come fight night. It is important to remember
that the three fights Fury went through with Deontay Wilder were grueling
battles and even though Fury emerged from those bouts still unbeaten, he did
take significant punishment and was dropped four times over the course of those
three bouts. It goes without saying that each time a fighter competes they
leave something behind. For fighters that go through series of fights against a
single opponent, an argument could indeed be made that they are not quite the
same fighters coming out of a series as they were going in. It is therefore
logical to wonder what those three bouts with Deontay Wilder may have taken out
of Fury as a fighter.
As for Dillian Whyte, the longtime Heavyweight contender
has waited a several years as a mandatory challenger to get his opportunity to
fight for the WBC world championship. Whyte’s status was briefly interrupted when
he suffered a one punch fifth round knockout loss to former world title
challenger and longtime contender Alexander Povetkin August 2020. Whyte avenged
that loss by scoring a knockout of Povetkin in their rematch in March of last
year. Although both of those fights took place in the midst of the ongoing
COVID-19 epidemic, some may question whether Whyte answered whatever critics
that might be in the rematch with Povetkin. This is due to Povetkin, who had
dealt with a severe bout with the COVID-19 virus appearing to be clearly
compromised in the rematch in terms of his equilibrium and an inability to keep
his balance both when throwing punches as well as not having punch resistance.
While it is not exactly justified in this observer’s view for one to discredit
Whyte’s victory in the rematch simply due to the fact that all a fighter can do
is face the opposition that is placed before them and keeping in mind that
there is still much that is unknown in regard to the long-term effects of the
COVID-19 virus, there are probably some that will still question whether Whyte
should be in this fight with Fury off of a victory over a clearly compromised
opponent.
The bottom line is with the victory, Whyte did reclaim
his number one ranking in the WBC’s Heavyweight ratings, so regardless of the
circumstances of the victory, he has nevertheless earned this opportunity. Although
some may view Whyte as the underdog going into this fight, it is crucial in my
eyes that he find a way to make the champion uncomfortable from the outset.
Tyson Fury is a fighter that uses his 6’9 frame to great effectiveness as a
fighter who is quite awkward and very elusive. Such a style has proven difficult
for most fighters to combat up to this point, but perhaps one way to do it
would be to force Fury into a fight early that will not allow him to get into a
rhythm where he can box his way through the fight and seemingly look to win
rounds. Whyte must remember that Fury is coming off of a grueling fight in his
third bout with Deontay Wilder last October and there has not been much time
for Fury to recuperate from that type of battle both physically and mentally.
By the same token, the challenger must also approach the champion
with caution and be tactical in trying to force Fury into a fight. Whyte must
remember that in his first fight against Alexander Povetkin, he was winning the
fight and saw the fight ended by a single uppercut to the head that he did not
see coming. While that was the definition of a one punch knockout, he must keep
in mind that Tyson Fury is a solid counter puncher that can land uppercuts with
both hands and if he becomes overly aggressive, it could provide the champion
with openings that he can take advantage of.
As for the champion, his strategy appears to be a simple
one. Look to out box Whyte and use his elusiveness to try to minimize any
punishment that might come his way. This is of course, easier said than done
and indeed “Anything Can Happen” especially when two big Heavyweights get into
a ring to do battle. With an estimated crowd of 94,000 spectators expected at
the legendary Wembley Stadium the bout between Fury and Whyte will benefit from
what is known as the “Big Fight Atmosphere.” Whether that translates to a
memorable battle inside the ring remains to be seen.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Fury vs. White takes place on Saturday, April 23rd
at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The fight can be seen in the United
States on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View for $79.99 beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT. ESPN+ is
available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming
devices/platforms/Smart TVs. To order on ESPN+ download the ESPN app or visit www.ESPNPlus.com/PPV. Check your local
listings internationally.
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Denison All Rights Reserved.
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