Josh Warrington and Carl Frampton took five minutes out from preparations for their upcoming IBF world featherweight contest on December 22nd to share their thoughts on this weekend’s heavyweight blockbuster showdown between WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and the lineal heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.
Carl Frampton – “When it was first made I strongly fancied Wilder. As the fight has got closer, I’ve been changing my mind. Looking at Fury’s shape and he is in good shape. In the pics I have seen he looks better than he ever has before.
“There are loads of questions to be asked. Has Fury lost too much weight? Is his inactivity going to cost him? How’s he going to be able to deal with Wilder’s punching power? Difficult one to call, but right now I’m leaning very slightly towards Deontay Wilder.”
Josh Warrington- “I said Fury when the fight first got made and I haven’t changed my mind, got to go for Tyson Fury for the win!
“Of course, you can’t rule out Wilder as he has some serious power in those fists and has proved it time and time again, but Fury’s size and ring IQ will prove crucial. I can honestly see him out-boxing and frustrating Wilder for 12 rounds.”
Watch Wilder-Fury live on BT Sport Box Office on Saturday night.
IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. Mark Heffron and Liam Williams contest the vacant British middleweight title and Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) takes on former commonwealth champion Jason Cunningham (24-5). In a step up, Nathan Gorman puts his undefeated record and WBC International Silver Heavyweight Title on the line against former World Title challenger Alex Leapai.
Elsewhere on the bill. World flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0) return to action. Manchester’s 12-0 Light Heavyweight Lyndon Arthur and 7-0 Darlington middleweight Troy Williamson also return.
Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.
Tickets available via Manchester Arena.
GORMAN: TYSON WILL MAKE HIM MISS AND MAKE HIM PAY
Nathan Gorman insists there is no bias in his assessment of huge heavyweight showdown on Saturday night when he forecasts Deontay Wilder barely being able to lay a glove on the elusive force that is Tyson Fury.
The 22-year-old Gorman – who fights Alex Leapai on the bumper Warrington-Frampton pre-Christmas boxing bonanza on December 22 at the Manchester Arena – is a distant relative of the Furys and the pair also share a UK training base at Ricky Hatton’s gym in Hyde.
The 14-0 WBC International Silver title holder, however, states that his fight predictions are not based on any loyalties, just personal experience of seeing Tyson up close and personal.
“I would say truthfully and without bias at all, whatever I thought,” explained the Nantwich-based heavy. “I have never sparred with Wilder, but from sharing a ring with Tyson I just can’t see Wilder beating him, I really can’t.
“I just think Wilder will get frustrated with Tyson when he can’t hit him, he will load up big swings and Tyson will make him miss and make him pay.
“He is too clever, he has got too much in the arsenal for him and he is a big 6ft 9″ switch-hitter – and he is really, really awkward,” added Gorman, who admitted to being shocked by the stealth of Tyson when he first got in the ring with him.
“Definitely, I’ve also seen him take the p*ss out of world class sparring partners.”
One thing, Gorman acknowledges, that cannot be legislated for is if Wilder manages to land the lottery punch.
“Obviously, getting onto that, it is 36 minutes and Wilder only needs one punch because he is the most dangerous heavyweight out there, isn’t he? He is more dangerous than Joshua in my opinion and if he hits you, you are going out.
“But, I just can’t see Tyson letting him do that. It is heavyweight
boxing though, so you never know.”
Watch Wilder-Fury live on BT Sport Box Office on Saturday night.
Filip Hrgović Offers Wilder Fury Prediction
Filip Hrgović has offered his prediction for the WBC World Heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury on Saturday night.
The Croatian boxing sensation will be watching with interest as fellow Olympic Bronze Medallist Deontay Wilder puts his title on the line against the lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Hrgović is the current WBC International Champion, having claimed the title with a spectacular knockout win over Amir Mansour, and is set to make his first defence against Ytalo Perea on December 8 at the KC Drazen Petrovic in Zagreb.
“I believe Wilder will get the better of Fury in the end, even if it’s a close fight,” says Hrgović. “Wilder is strong and his right hand could destabilise Fury as soon as he’s able to reach the target. However, it’s not an easy fight to predict.”
Since joining the professional ranks, Hrgović has made no secret of his desire to win World titles, and after only six fights, he is already ranked with the WBC, WBA and WBO. The 26 year-old wagers he will only need five more fights before he is ready to challenge the likes of Wilder, Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“As people are aware, I haven’t hidden from anyone since starting my professional career,” said Hrgović. “And I believe I will be ready to challenge for the World title in five fights. Obviously, it is not just my call, I must speak with my promoter, manager and coach, but soon, I will be coming for all the belts!”
The WBC International Heavyweight Championship contest between Filip Hrgović and Ytalo Perea will top an action-packed fight card at the KC Dražen Petrović on December 8.
Tickets start from 150 KN and are available online via www.eventim.hr. All the action will be broadcast live and exclusive on RTL in Croatia.
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury will be broadcast live by RTL Croatia on December 2 at 3:30 with a recorded version shown later at 14:30.
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury – this Sat. in 400-plus US movie theaters
This Saturday, December 1, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder (40–0, 39 KOs) will defend his title against lineal champion Tyson Fury (27-0, 19 KOs) in a blockbuster matchup at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Boxing fans can catch the broadcast of “Wilder vs Fury,” LIVE and larger-than-life on the big screen, at more than 400 select movie theaters nationwide beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT/ 7 p.m. MT/ 6 p.m. PT/ 5 p.m. AK/ 4 p.m. HI.
The most significant heavyweight event in the U.S. in more than 15 years will feature an undercard lineup of stellar fighters. Jarrett Hurd (22-0, 15 KOs) returns for his first fight since unifying the super welterweight division earlier this year to defend his IBF and WBA titles against British Commonwealth champ Jason Welborn (24-6, 7 KOs). Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis Ortiz (29-1, 25 KOs) will continue his quest for a second shot at a heavyweight world championship as he takes on American Travis Kauffman (32-2, 23 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Silver Medalist and unbeaten heavyweight Joe Joyce (6-0, 6 KOs) will face his sixth opponent of 2018 when he meets Joe Hanks (23-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.
Tickets for “Wilder vs Fury” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
“Wilder vs Fury” is presented by SHOWTIME PPV and Fathom Events.