As the world prepares for one of the biggest heavyweight title bouts in years, several former heavyweight greats have assembled before the media to give their verdict on who will come out victorious in Saturday night’s eagerly awaited contest.

Staples Center in Los Angeles will host the clash between WBC Champion Deontay Wilder and rightful ‘lineal’ champion, England’s Tyson Fury, who are both undefeated going into the fight.

Wilder has a fearsome record, with 39 KOs from 40 fights, and he goes head-to-head against Fury, who has 27 straight wins, with 19 knockouts.

Fury has had a long period of inactivity, with only two unconvincing warm-up fights since he defeated unified champion and heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko, almost exactly three years ago.

Tyson has faced his demons in that time, with his weight ballooning to 28 stone, while also battling depression and facing doping issues, and many feel that this fight may have come too soon for him.

To give their verdict on the fight, heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield gathered in front of the media, along with other legends such as Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Gerry Cooney, Earnie Shavers, Buster Douglas and Michael Spinks, ahead of the fight.

Evander Holyfield, the only four-time heavyweight champion in history had this to say.

"I feel that Deontay Wilder will win because eventually he'll land that right hand. He's very patient. He's a thinker, but he can also take chances. When people take chances, they win," he said, via Boxing Scene.

"Deontay might not have as much experience as we did in our day, but he's got the power. That's what the people want to see and I think they're going to be happy when they see it.

"There was a point in time where every great heavyweight was from the United States. We had a very good amateur program. I was the last true heavyweight champion from the U.S. before Wilder and until I lost the decision against Lennox.

"To be the heavyweight champion of the world, and to say you're the best, you have to fight any man."

Holyfield is no stranger to being the underdog, coming up from cruiserweight and often fighting much bigger men such as Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe, and also twice conquering fearsome heavyweight great ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.

However, he is leaning towards the favourite here in Wilder.

Few can fail to give the challenger credit, though, for coming back from his setbacks and entering the ring again.

And all of the heavyweight greats in attendance will agree that – once the bell goes, there is nowhere to hide and that anything can happen.