Boxing
Makhmudov offers 'banana skin' test for Fury, claims ex-rival
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Tyson Fury faces a "banana skin" in Arslanbek Makhmudov , with Dillian Whyte believing the latter could prove a difficult foe.
'The Gypsy King' returns tonight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ending his fifth retirement against the 'Lion' in north London.
Fury arrives for his first bout since a December 2024 loss to Oleksandr Usyk as the overwhelming favourite to take the win.
But Whyte, who challenged Fury for the WBC heavyweight title in 2022, feels that his opponent has the tools to find him out.
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"I think this could be a banana skin for Tyson Fury," he told The Ring . "We need to see an early onslaught from Makhmudov.
"If Makhmudov rushes him , applies the pressure from the start and tries to get it done early, I think Fury can get caught cold.
"Fury likes to find his rhythm and get into a groove but I think Makhmudov is just as big as him and is [also] a big puncher [too]."
Whyte admits however that the match-up still favours Fury, adding that if Makhmudov does not fire fast, he has "no chance".
“If Makhmudov fails to do that he’s going to get outboxed, beaten up and then stopped around eight or nine rounds in," he added.
DAZNCan Makhmudov truly catch Fury cold?
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
A fascinating clash of styles awaits those who cram themselves into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight for this major clash.
But is the result seemingly as much of a foregone conclusion as many believe? Dillian Whtyte certainly doesn't think so here.
Of course, Tyson Fury has started fast before. He was arguably on the front foot with Oleksandr Usyk early on both times.
Arslanbek Makhmudov, with all due respect, lacks the footwork and fluidity to move about with the ease that his opponent does.
Yet if he does push the envelope and takes the fight to Fury's chin and body early on, then this could be an intriguing night.
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