Telegraph experts are responding to your comments on the week’s big issues – ahead of Fury vs Whyte, it’s Gareth A Davies’ turn
When Tyson Fury takes on Dillian Whyte on Saturday evening at Wembley, he will be defending both his WBC heavyweight title and his unbeaten record.
While the build-up has been strangely serene, with Whyte maintaining a long media silence before a remarkably calm pre-fight press conference, that will change the moment the two men step into the ring. There is expected to be around 94,000 spectators in attendance for the British showdown.
Ahead of the fight, we asked for your comments and put them to our boxing correspondent, Gareth A Davies, to answer.
Where do you place this among other heavyweight world title fights in history?
Robert Pask
In history, not one of the very biggest, but here in the UK – huge. Fury now has an enormous reach through his boxing and life story, and Whyte has an incredible story to tell and has become box office. It’s the biggest all-British heavyweight fight for 30 years.
With Fury going in leaner he’s going to be moving a lot. Do you think Whyte will have the ability to get in close enough to mix it up?
Richie Rich
Agreed on Fury, but he has the ability to box and fight in several ways. It is Fury’s fight to lose in my opinion. But that may play into Whyte’s heavy hands. Whyte has improved a lot in the last three years and unless Fury boxes him on the back foot throughout the early rounds, Whyte will get opportunities.
How can Whyte win the fight?
David Davies
Simply, by landing big punches and drawing Fury into a dogfight and not a boxing match at range. He may need to hunt Fury, match him, throw with him. I don’t think Whyte outboxes Fury, but Whyte also believes he can do that. I’m not so sure about that. But weird things happen in boxing. You certainly can’t write off Whyte, and I think a knockout or stoppage is his best chance.
Do you think Tyson’s dad being at that fight could be a distraction for Tyson in the same way as the Eubanks?
Aiden Mckenzie
No, Fury likes Big John around. So did trainer SugarHill Steward, and told me so himself. They both respect John’s knowledge of heavyweight boxing and how he knows his son inside out.
Do you think Tyson will retire after this win or lose?
Billy Sheppey
Fury says it is his last fight, then he says he may have two more. If he wins, he will probably cite retirement. Then get lured back for an undisputed title shot between the winner of Usyk and Joshua. But particularly if it is Joshua. If Fury loses to Whyte, he will be lured back for a rematch with Whyte, especially if Saturday night is close, controversial or a thriller with knockdowns and drama.
Is this a genuine 90k @ Wembley showdown?
Hjssa
Yes, two great characters and fighters at Wembley Stadium on St George’s Day.
Is there a rematch clause if DW wins?
Paul Manchester
Fury defends the WBC title against the mandatory challenger in Whyte and, as he is the mandatory challenger, there is no rematch clause. But if Whyte wins in a brilliant fight or spectacle, I’d expect to see them fight for a second time. Bigger fight, more money, more interest with Fury trying to claim the belt back.
Is Whyte a harder fight than Wilder?
LucaMUFC
Styles make fights. This is a different challenge. Whyte has more boxing skills than Wilder, which may lead to Fury boxing more on the outside rather than the tear-up he had with Wilder in their trilogy fight. Fury may well take fewer risks against Whyte, especially in the opening rounds.
For Dillian to have any chance of winning surely he has to target the body rather than the head?
Mentalmate
Both, of course. But Whyte will want to get in close to land his big punches, and how Whyte closes the distance is one of the keys to victory in this fight.
Who would win a game of scrabble out of the two?
Ludacris
Oh my days … that’s a difficult call. Probably Fury. Just. But words are cheap in the fight business. This is about a fight, a world title, and they just have to let their hands do the talking.