Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson will touch gloves in Dubai as they look to iron out a fiery war of words that have originated from 2017.
The strongman pair will take to the ring tonight at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium after a week of traded verbal jabs and heated confrontation. Hall and Bjornsson have been training for around two years for the event which was initially scheduled to take place last year.
Bjornsson has fought three times during that period whereas Hall's experience has been significantly disrupted by a detached bicep injury and a recent chest infection. The pair have weighed in at a combined 600lbs and will finally tackle their previous spats in the iron square.
Find out all you need to know ahead of tonight's heavyweight showdown here...
When is the Hall vs Bjornsson fight?
The clash between Hall and Bjornsson will take place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium at 1am local time with the main event the only attraction on the full fight card.
Both Bjornsson and Hall have been engaged in violent clashes this week and will finally have the chance to do battle after years of training for the clash. Bjornsson comes into the clash as the marginal favourite with his recent three boxing fights and experience given the nod over Hall who has been inactive due to his recent struggle with a detached bicep.
Hall has come in lighter than his opponent for the clash but will likely favour power to try and secure an early stoppage, with his opponent intent on boxing if need be after focusing on technique and endurance.
What time will Hall vs Bjornsson start in the UK?
The main event ring walks are expected to take place at 9pm in the UK with cards taking place before at the same venue involving flyweight champion Sunny Edwards.
There will be no undercard to cause delay on the night with fans being sure to put their entire focus on the huge main event.
How to watch via TV and live stream
The fight will not be broadcast on mainstream TV but will be streamed live via an online streaming service. It will be shown for free to fans on Segi TV on Saturday night. You can find out more, and watch the preview shows by visiting the official website.
Action will begin shortly before the main event starts with coverage getting underway at 8:30pm.
Who is on the undercard?
There will be no undercard on the clash with a bumper Probellum card taking place earlier on in the day at the same venue. Bjornsson's previous event was staged with professional fights beforehand which preceded his dismissal Devon Larratt in the opening round.
Who do you think will prevail tonight - Eddie Hall or Thor Bjornsson? Let us know in the comments section below
Odds
Eddie Hall 6/4
Thor Bjornsson 1/2
Draw 16/1
Rules
The pair will contest their boxing clash over six two-minute rounds in Dubai on March 19. Headguards will not be worn at the event which has been sanctioned under official professional rules outside of the use of 12oz gloves.
Three judges will be ringside to score the contest in Dubai over the six two-minute round period.
Quotes corner
Eddie Hall: "This is the only goal I've been training towards in the last two years. Time has been on my side. I'm more practised, more conditioned and more skilled than I've ever been.
"I'm training as a boxer fully. The footwork, the movements, he has seen what I can't do but it's not going to help when we're in the ring.
"I'll do whatever it takes to put Thor on the canvas. I've got more heart, more determination, more aggression, more speed, more agility, more punch selection.
"The only thing he's got on me is reach. I'm telling you now, this is going to be a proper fight and in a fight, it's the better fighter that wins."
Thor Bjornsson : “I am one hundred percent going to win. I strongly believe that I am going to knock him out and cause some serious damage. It could happen soon, it could honestly happen soon. I said it third or fourth round knockout.
"I am expecting him to be wild, throw big hooks. He will be square on and I am expecting him to go all in the first round. Even though I expect that I am ready for anything, he might come in with a totally different game plan because he knows what I think. Maybe he is going to come in relaxed and just wait for me to land the first punch.
"But maybe he is going to come in like a bullet and try to land straight away. I guess it is just a wait and see what happens. I have been training against different fighters, nocive and professional. Good amateurs too.
"The closer we get to the fight and the more confident I get. Most of my fans and people know I am going to box but if it means I have to go the rounds so be it.”
