By Jake Donovan

Tyson Fury risks a mandatory title shot at World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in a stay busy bout versus fringe contender Christian Hammer. The scheduled 12-round clash takes place Saturday evening at O2 Arena in London, England.

Both fighters had one final exchange of harsh words and finger pointing during Friday's weigh-in festivities (pictures to come, for those demanding visual proof). Fury tipped the scales at 260 lb., while Hammer checked in at a career lightest 240 lb.

Fury (23-0, 17KOs) was named the mandatory challenger to Klitschko's crown following career-best win in stopping Dereck Chisora after 10 rounds last November. The bout was a rematch to their July '11 clash, when both were unbeaten prospects but neither boasting much in the way of discipline at the time.

The repeat win late last year carried far greater significance, with a world title shot at stake. Fury rose to the occasion to move towards his first shot at a major belt, but has opted to keep active in accepting Saturday's bout.

Hammer (17-3, 10KOs) comes in riding a 10-fight win streak. The bout marks his first career contest in the United Kingdom, having fought near exclusively in his adopted homeland of Germany, as well as back-to-back appearances in 2013 in his birth country of Romania.

Saturday's show will air live on BoxNation in the United Kingdom. See how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the heavyweight battle plays out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: TYSON FURY vs. CHRISTIAN HAMMER

Ryan Burton (Fury TKO4): I think the talkative Traveller dispatches his over matched opponent sooner rather than later. Hopefully he will follow up with a big summer fight a Klitschko or Wilder.

Jake Donovan (Fury TKO5): Vintage Fury would call for a lethargic effort where he relies solely on his size to get the job done. With a Klitschko title fight looming, look for a statement performance.

John MacDonald (Fury KO5): Tyson Fury will ensure his next fight is for the WBO title (if it's against Wladimir or not) by dispatching of the - bafflingly - high ranked but limited Hammer.

Takahiro Onaga (Fury TKO8): Fury hammers Hammer

 

Cliff Rold (Fury by KO): Christian Hammer versus Tyson Fury is the best WWE main event that isn't a pro wrestling match.  Fury drops the Hammer here with showdowns against Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko possible this year.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Fury late KO): Very close fight; Fury has the chance to enter at the big league if he can overcome Hammer.

Alexey Sukachev (Fury TKO7): Hammer is just in the other league with Fury. He will gradually punished until Tyson stops him on his feet, or he will be down a couple of times and then - out.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox