Vitali Klitschko faces Danny Williams Saturday as heavyweight boxing takes centre stage. The writers at TheSweetScience.com fearlessly offer their predictions …

Maybe Danny Williams will spring an upset. ANYTHING can happen when two big heavyweights get together. Based on what Williams showed even in victory over Tyson did not impress me. Tyson was kicking his butt up until Mike's knee gave out. Williams DID NOT deserve this crack at the title based on his past record or his win over an aging Tyson. If Vitali is on his game I see no reason for him not to make a successful defense of his heavyweight crown.

Jim Amato

Vitali Klitschko should retain the heavyweight championship of the world against Danny Williams — if he can exploit his massive height and reach and keep him outside with his incredibly long jab. But if the free-swinging Williams can rumble his way close, he could flatten the Ukrainian giant. Nobody gave Williams any chance against Mike Tyson, but the former British and British Commonwealth king displayed great courage as he survived some lusty shots and never stopped fighting. Maybe Williams lost to Julius Francis and Sinan Samil Sam earlier in his career, and it's hard to see him climbing atop sport's highest pedestal, but Klitschko bailed out against Chris Byrd on April 1, 1990, claiming he injured his shoulder. When the leather starts coming, how mentally tough is he? Klitschko has also been worried about the political strife in his country,and that's undoubtedly affected his preparation. Williams should be brimming with confidence after flattening Tyson, but he's erratic too. Experts invariably try to judge the mind of the fighter, but all that goes out the window once the bell rings. Styles make fights and this is combat, where you perform according to your well-honed instincts. Klitschko has a tendency to bring his right back — and hold it — before throwing it. He also poses at times, with his chin high. If Williams can get lucky with a left hook or a big right, with 270 pounds behind it, we could have a shocking upset. If Klitschko boxes, then starts drilling him with his right, Williams should go  in about six. Ironically, I can't remember when a former European heavyweight champion (Klitschko) has ever met a former European heavyweight title challenger (Williams) for the heavyweight championship of the world.

Jim Brady

Beating Mike Tyson is not what it used to be. It may take a few rounds, but Williams will feel Klitschko's power. Klitschko TKO 6 Williams.

Robert Cassidy

I don't believe that Vitali has the one?punch power to put Danny away early, which may result in a nice little shootout in the first third of the fight. But I believe that Klitschko will gain control somewhere around the fifth round, and never look back. Williams will be looking for lightning to strike twice, but much like Buster, I believe his win over Mike is a one?shot deal for the Brit. For the sake of picking an exact round . . . call it Klit in 10. Williams forced to retire while on his stool in between rounds. Klitschko by late KO

Jake Donovan

Someone is going to derail the Klitschko Express. It’s inevitable. It’s just a matter of time. Vitali is mucho distracted by the chaos in Kiev. His fists and chin will be in Vegas, but his heart is in the Ukraine. I think Danny parlays his high from the Tyson bout and takes the fight to Dr. K, starting with the body and working his way upstairs. Williams reopens Vitali’s eyelid in the middle rounds. Going with my heart and not my head, I predict a Williams victory by TKO.

Robert Ecksel

Who did Williams beat besides an old, tired, lame Mike Tyson? Klitschko is too big and too strong. Barring some kind of strange, Klitschko breakdown, Vitali by KO in the fifth.

Rick Folstad

Vitali Klitschko probably deserves to be considered the best heavyweight in the world at this moment. But he can be had. Revisonist history suggests Klitschko had Lennox Lewis beat, but for the cuts. He didn’t, and that’s why it’s “revisionist” to suggest otherwise. Klitschko then beat Kirk Johnson, who embarrassed both himself and the sport of boxing by showing up completely unprepared. Following Johnson, Klitschko went on to stop Corrie Sanders in a Pier Sixer. Thing is, the big Ukrainian was  buzzed early in that fight, but then Sanders immediately ran out of gas due to his woeful conditioning. No fault of Klitschko, but it left questions unanswered, I thought.  Williams truly had a reputation as a serial underachiever in the past, and it is not simply marketing spin to suggest as much. An upset is a realistic possibility in this fight. Of course, the sharp guys are all picking Klitschko, and perhaps they should. Williams could go early, no doubt. But if the Englishman can stay on Klitschko’s chest early and often enough to take the fight to the champion, nullifying his height advantage, it is game on. If Williams sees round 6, this fight takes on a different complexion. I do believe Klitschko’s stamina is open to question. He was blowing awfully hard against Lewis, and again against Sanders, as those fights neared their conclusion. If Williams ends up in the deep water with Klitschko be prepared to be surprised. I think he will. And I think you will. Williams by TKO.
Chris Gielty

This one has to be bombs away almost from the opening bell.  I still am not sold on Williams as a world-class heavyweight contender, as he beat a one-legged Mike Tyson.  However, he does take a world-class punch.  I think he'll take a number or world-class punches from Vitali (and give a few of his own), but will be outgunnned and history by the seventh round.

Randy Gordon

I think the Williams who beat Tyson compares favorably to the out?of?shape Lennox Lewis Klitschko nearly surprised, but without the reach. Williams will give the gangly Ukrainian trouble at times, but Klitschko's power and drive won't fade like Tyson's did. Klitschko KO.

Tim Graham

In this fight I'm going with the much bigger Ukrainian Klitschko. Even though he didn't win the Lennox Lewis fight he showed he was able to use his size and strength to his advantage. I don't see a knockout here but Klitschko will prevail.

Sam Gregory

Not that I think Klitschko is great, but he is better than Danny Williams, and there is no way this fight goes the distance. (I hope!) Williams is enjoying his 15-minutes in the sun due to his beating of the once feared, once indestructible ?but  now finished ? former undisputed champion Mike Tyson. It shouldn't take Klitschko that long (5?6 rounds) to bring Williams back to reality.

Mike Indri

Despite all the new found mental motivation Mr. Williams is fond of telling everyone about since his demolition of Mike Tyson, the fight against Klitschko will be furious and brief. Look for Williams to take all the significant punches and be retired early. Bet the house that Williams doesn't see the fourth round. Klitschko KO3 Williams.

Patrick Kehoe

Klitschko is so big and so strong you'd have to say Williams has even less of a chance than he did against Tyson! That having been said, if Danny can get it to the late, or even middle, rounds, and perhaps nick Klitschko in the process, another upset isn't inconceivable. (Vitali appears to be unsettled by the sight of blood, particularly if it's his own.) The logical pick, alas, is Klitschko TKO 2.

George Kimball

Vitali Klitschko is one smart fighter and his options are many in terms of how to stop Williams. He can work behind the heavy jab and break Williams down, or come at him early and put the pressure on Williams, who has crumbled in the past when the heat is on. Somewhere around the middle of the fight I think Klitschko will have Williams down and seriously hurt to the point the bout is stopped. Other than beating an aged Mike Tyson, Williams has lost to some very average heavyweights like Sprott, Francis and Sam. Vitali Klitscko is not your average heavyweight. V Klitschko TKO D Williams

Joey Knish

Everything on paper says Klitschko should have an easy night.  He's much bigger, stronger, and more experienced in big fights.  And of course, Danny Williams has lost to far inferior boxers than Klitschko.  The wildcard is if Williams truly is transformed as a fighter after the Tyson victory, as he and his supporters claim. Even Sinan Samil Sam, who beat Williams last year, was recently quoted as stating, “that's not the same Danny Williams who I defeated.” Williams has proven he has tremendous heart. He was rocked repeatedly in the opening rounds of the Tyson fight. In 2000, after dislocating his right shoulder, Williams continued to fight and eventually stopped Mark Potter in the sixth round. We all remember what Vitali Klitschko did when he injured his shoulder against Chris Byrd. So my official prediction is Klitschko gives Williams the beating that most people expect. TKO 6. But I won't be surprised if Williams pulls off some magic and finds a way to shock Klitschko and the rest of the boxing world with an upset.

Marc Lichtenfeld

Just as I didn't rate Buster Douglas off of beating Mike Tyson, I won't gauge Danny Williams based solely on him stopping a rusty 38 year old Tyson. After Douglas beat Tyson, everyone started raving about his size and reach and what a good boxer he was. Now the talk is Williams doesn't harbor self-doubt like he used to, and he's really a Holyfield type warrior. I'll use the same formula I used to pick Douglas-Holyfield. Had Douglas fought Holyfield the night he fought Tyson, who would I pick? Obviously Holyfield. So am I now going to pick Douglas because he beat Tyson? No! Same thing here. If Williams was fighting Klitschko the night he fought Tyson, who would I pick? Without reservation Klitschko. Am I going to now pick Williams because he beat a washed up Tyson? No. I'll take my chances with Klitschko.

Frank Lotierzo

The only thing harder than catching lightning in a bottle is keeping it there without getting zapped. Klitsch KO 3.

David Mayo

Williams has more boxing ability than the champion, but the only way I see him winning is if he can land a big one flush on Klitschko’s jaw. I see him trying to swim, but being out of his depth and on the canvas within 3 rounds. Having said that, I have got a funny feeling about this one, almost as funny as when I picked Hasim Rahman to KO Lewis in their first fight … almost.

Deon Potgieter

I do not mind William Joppy holding a retirement party in the ring, but did he have to do it in the fourth round of his “fight” with Jermain Taylor? On my dime? I should have known I was being put out to dry when instead of the pre?fight national anthem, they played Won't You Come Home Again, Bill Joffy? Oh, well, people, I am paid to write, not to be right. Having said that: Dr. Vitali Klitschko, the least worst of a bad crop of heavyweights – thus making him a tall midget – by decision.

Pat Putnam

This is a difficult fight because no?one knows how good either man really is. Klitschko tested Lewis but, not for the first time, Lewis was not in optimum shape. Williams has lost to some mediocre fighters. Also Tyson was clearly a broken man. At the same time Williams's confidence will be high and he and his trainer have good discipline. So does Klitschko and his camp, however. On form and pedigree you have to go with Klitschko, probably on points.

Jonathan Rendall

Initially, I was leaning towards Williams possibly catching lightning in a bottle twice and scoring an upset over Klitschko.  However, after hearing of some of the Brit's babbling over the last couple of days I am convinced he is becoming mentally unglued.  This will not be helpful to him in facing a guy who should be at, or near, his peak physical and fighting form. Klitschko scores a 3rd round TKO in what should be a stinker, thanks to an

erratic Williams.

Scott Yaniga