Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury favored to defeat "Quiet Man" Dillian Whyte this Saturday

Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte will lace ’em up and let ’er rip this Saturday night at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

The fight is a sellout and then some.

Ninety-four thousand fans and change.

Think legendary Jack Dempsey’s heyday.

Fury,33,is favored 6-1 to win. The 6-foot-9-inch behemoth is undefeated in 31 fights, scoring 22 knockouts. He recently completed a series of bouts with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Fury captured the IBF, WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles in 2015 by befuddling defending champion Vladimir Klitschko. Soon after, Fury went into a tailspin of self-destruction, indulging in drugs, drink, and food. Lots and lots of food. So much that he gained one hundred fifty pounds. Gluttony had become his way of life.

He contemplated suicide - before experiencing an epiphany on Halloween night in 2017. He prayed for recovery and redemption. Got back to the gym and spent months shedding the weight.

Two comeback victories set the scene for his first fight with WBA champion Wilder.

A draw produced a rematch dominated by Fury. Their third fight was a barnburner. Fury pulled himself off the canvas to flatten Wilder in seven. No controversy this time, just a knockdown-filled drama inside a boxing ring.

Whyte also has had his drama in the last few years. Aging heavyweight Alexander Povetkin sent him slumbering in 2020. Whyte avenged his defeat against a zombie-like Povetkin a year later. Whyte’s other loss was to Anthony Joshua seven years ago.

The 34-year-old has engaged in 28 bouts, knocking out 19 opponents. Whyte knows Fury pretty well.

The two rivals sparred several years ago. Familiarity can breed contempt.

Fury is heavily-favored for a variety of reasons. He moves better than Whyte and has faster hands. Whyte has some pop in his fists, but Fury appears to have more. A style tweak has produced three knockouts in his last four bouts.

Could Whyte catch Fury with a big shot? Oh, yes. Fury can be tagged, but he always gets up. I see him giving Whyte a country whuppin, winning by stoppage before round 10.