Lennox Lewis expects Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte to be “bombs away” in a Kronk vs Kronk battle of power at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
Both fighters will have the influence of the late, great Emanuel Steward’s legendary Detroit gym in their corners when they do battle in front of a record crowd of 94,000 (live on BT Sport Box Office and ESPN PPV).
Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, had Harold ‘The Shadow’ Knight in his corner for a good portion of his Hall of Fame career, alongside the great Manny Steward. Now Knight is in Portugal preparing Whyte (28-2) for the world title shot he has so long craved.
Fury (31-0-1) meanwhile has of course been trained by ‘Sugar Hill’ Steward and Andy Lee – both Kronk disciples themselves – since the build-up to his 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder.
Now that Kronk mindset will cut deep into the biggest all-British fight in living memory as the WBC, Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight titles go on the line on Saturday night.
Lennox Lewis on Fury vs Whyte corners
Lewis told BT Sport Boxing: “It’s gonna be an amazing atmosphere. it’s always great. I loved when I boxed outside, you can get that fresh air. It’s something to look forward. I think it’s gonna be a great fight.
“What a lot of people don’t know, you’ve got Kronk against Kronk as well with the two trainers. Harold Knight, he’s been in the Kronk school, so a lot of things that he’s got coming is part of the Kronk philosophy – such as that big right hand, big jab, that left hook – these are the prime weapons of the Kronk factory.”
.@LennoxLewis is expecting bad intentions from the first bell on Saturday ????#FuryWhyte
— Boxing on BT Sport ???? (@BTSportBoxing) April 18, 2022
Lennox expects fireworks from the first bell – both men can hit hard and that Kronk mindset means they will be loading up early. He also believes anything can happen – including Fury falling to defeat for the very first time as a pro.
“There’s gonna be bombs away, there’s no doubt about that. Dillian Whyte can punch – any heavyweight that weighs over 200lbs can punch. If they land that sweet punch on you, you’re gonna go.
“I was listening to David (Haye), he was saying it’s not easy to knock out Tyson Fury, you’re right it’s not easy – but there’s always that one punch. If you keep hitting on that rock all the time, there’s that one punch that will break it. So who knows, it may be this fight.”
Whyte focused on the job
Whyte of course has said little during the build-up to the fight so far, failing to show up at all until a media conference call last week. Lewis believes his silence shows just how focused he is on gaining the world title he is so desperate to win.
“I know Dillian Whyte’s pretty serious in this fight, he’s quite and when someone’s quiet like that, that means he’s focused. He’s coming out with true focus so it’s gonna be a great fight.”