HBO and Showtime Boxing Predictions

The Ring, IBF, WBO, IBO, & WBA Heavyweight Championships: Wladimir Klitschko (c) (64-3) vs. Tyson Fury (24-0)

Nolan Howell: Actually really interested to see what Fury can do here. Klitschko is not often going to be the smaller man height wise and Fury is a fighter who will grind you down by any means necessary. Fury could very well lean on Klitschko and play a little dirty to win an ugly and surely controversial fight. The more likely route is that Klitschko will be able to stay inside and land methodically on the plodding Fury, but let’s make it interesting. Tyson Fury by split decision.

Luke Irwin: And already, Fury is bitching about the canvas being too soft.  Klitschko can be caught early, but Fury seldom finishes fighters early despite his size.  I think this goes to the middle rounds, where Klitschko will trap Fury against the ropes and unload on his 6’9″ frame.  Klitschko via R7 TKO.

IBF Super Middleweight Championship: James DeGale (c) (21-1) vs. Lucian Bute (32-2)

Nolan Howell: Bute is essentially a warm body here that will sell tickets in Quebec and will provide good name value to DeGale while presenting little risk at this stage in his career. Bute is no easy out, but I don’t see a way where he survives the whole 12. James DeGale by seventh-round TKO.

Luke Irwin: Bute is a tad past his best-by date.  His last even decent win was over a 42-year old Glen Johnson over four years ago.  So it’ll be a nice notch on DeGale’s belt and a bigger name defense, but like Nolan said, Bute’s biggest value these days is his drawing abilities in Quebec, so at least it’ll be a large crowd to see him get destroyed by DeGale.  DeGale via R5 KO.

WBC Light Heavyweight Championship Eliminator: Eleider Alvarez (18-0) vs. Issac Chilemba (24-2-2)

Nolan Howell: Chilemba is a slight underdog in this fight, but I think he will be able to take a decision upset over the older and less tested Alvarez. Issac Chilemba by unanimous decision.

Luke Irwin: Not really sure why Chilemba is the underdog here, as Alvarez hasn’t shown much against any game fighter to warrant money.  Chilemba via UD.