Wladimir Klitschko vs Tyson Fury: James DeGale vs Lucian Bute, Eleider Alvarez vs Isaac Chilemba - boxing on TV

Can Fury shock the world?

Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury shake hands after today's weigh in, but Fury rejected his hand before the weigh in (Getty Images)

Perhaps the biggest boxing main event in recent memory is also one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events of 2015, as Wladimir Klitschko defends his four heavyweight world titles against Tyson Fury at the ESPRIT arena, Düsseldorf.

This weekend will see Britain appearing in the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978, and top of the Premier League Leicester City playing second placed Manchester United, but it is a boxing match between two heavyweights which has attracted all of the public interest.

After winning gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Klitschko has ruled the heavyweight division for much of his lengthy professional career.

The 39-year-old has won 64 of his 67 professional contests, is undefeated since 2004, and is on a 22 fight winning streak which includes victories over many previously undefeated and formerly ambitious fighters.

When Klitschko defeated Bryant Jennings in April he added the American to his list of ‘0’ stealing, which also includes Kubrat Pulev, Alexander Povetkin, Francesco Pianeta, Mariusz Wach, Ruslan Chagaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Calvin Brock and Samuel Peter.

Despite those victories, the Ukrainian is most known in Britain for his convincing points victory over David Haye in November 2011, and he is incredibly confident ahead of facing Fury.

That serenity is entrenched after Klitschko expertly rescued his career after losing three fights by stoppage during his first ten years as a professional, and he has looked virtually unbeatable over the past decade,

Blessed with savage power in both hands, Wladimir typically fights with a defensive mindset at the beginning of fights, as he attempts to use his size and strength to unruffle and eventually unravel his opponents.

He has often been accused of fighting dirty, and his tactics sap the strength and desire of his rivals while tightening his own stronghold on fights.

Tyson Fury weighed in at 17st 9lbs - his lighest weight in three years

So with all those accolades, four championship belts, home advantage and a proven track record of vanquishing all he faces, just why are some people believing that Tyson Fury can be the man to beat the man?

Fury is 24-0 across a seven year career and is one of the fastest heavyweights on the planet.

Born into a fighting family, the mercurial talent has been well managed and promoted by Mick Hennessy since turning professional in December 2008 as a curly haired Errol Flynn lookalike in giant white shorts.

The hair may have thinned somewhat over the resulting years, but the desire and the ability has only increased, and the 27-year-old has arrived in Germany believing that it is his destiny to become champion on the world.

Blessed with a fast mouth and a gift for self-promotion, Fury has talked himself into contention for success ever since he made his debut, but two wins over Dereck Chisora, plus memorable triumphs over Steve Cunningham and Neven Pajkic have made those grand claims seem more legitimate than farcical.

The Mancunian was dropped heavily in both the Cunningham and Pajkic fights but showed great spirit and heart to climb off the canvas and stop both of those rivals later in the bout.

Fury can alternate between an aggressive orthodox style and a more defensive minded southpaw stance, and despite a perceived lack of punching power he has stopped nine of his past ten opponents.

He will have a slight height and reach advantage over Klitschko, but he has never faced a dangerous opponent of similar size which could prove dangerous against the decorated champion.

There was a time when heavyweight boxing united generations, when grandfathers and grandkids alike crowded round a television to watch Lennox Lewis or to listen to a Muhammad Ali fight on the radio, and Klitschko vs Fury definitely has the potential to be recalled with the same rose-tinted hue in the future.

This is a fight where anything can happen, a first round stoppage, a 12 round slugfest, a tactical battle.

The bookmakers have Klitschko as a significant ¼ favourite, and tipsters may be intrigued by the evens on offer for the champion to stop Fury at any point in the fight.

Fury is a 9/2 underdog, but if you believe in miracles he is 80/1 to finish Wladimir in the first round.

Alternatively, it is 12/1 for either fighter to be knocked down or counted in the first round.

Usually this column has complaints about PPV events, but though the undercard here is terrible, a fight of this magnitude has to be watched the right way - on a big television surrounded by delicious snacks and beverages.

DeGale vs Bute, Saturday night 3am, Sky Sports 1

Amidst the clamour and glamour of the heavyweight shootout, another British fighter is involved in world title duty this weekend as James DeGale defends his IBF super middleweight title for the first time against former champion Lucian Bute.

DeGale claimed the belt after outpointing Andre Dirrell last May in America, and travels abroad once again to face Bute in Quebec, Canada.

James DeGale beat Andre Dirrell for the title back in May (Getty Images)

Although DeGale’s victory over Dirrell was impressive especially after he knocked down the American twice in round two, the Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medalist struggled in the latter stages of the fight, but will be confident of stopping Bute early.

The Canadian has a 32-2 record, but has only won once since November 2012, and has not looked the same fighter since he was stopped by Carl Froch in May of that year.

Bute was 30-0 and tipped as the best super middleweight in the world heading into that Froch fight, but has looked bereft of confidence in his subsequent fights, and at 35-years-old does not have too much time left in the sport to unravel the mental cobwebs.

He will have home advantage, but DeGale has never fought in front of crowds who support him, and the Brit is the 2/9 favourite with the bookmakers to successfully defend his title.

An interesting light heavyweight bout features as chief support on the undercard where 18-0 Eleider Alvarez meets 24-2-2 Isaac Chilemba.