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Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson are both former World’s Strongest Man champions
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The pair have been at loggerheads for over a year now and a fierce rivalry has ensued
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Billed as the heaviest fight in boxing history, Eddie Hall vs Thor will take place in September 2021
Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson are two of the biggest names in World’s Strongest Man history, with Hall clinching the title in 2017 before Thor’s success one year later.
With two very contrasting styles and approaches, the pair couldn’t be more different. Hall is one of the shorter strongmen while Thor towers above many of his competitors.
Both men ended their strongmen careers with one world title apiece – though Thor finished above Hall in all but one of their six years in direct competition with each other.
In fact, Thor finished in the top three of World’s Strongest Man in eight consecutive years between 2012 and 2019 and Hall will have his work cut out to defeat the Icelandic fighter.
With little experience to go off, boxing betting odds will find it tough to split the two men ahead of September’s bout though Thor’s size advantage could be key.
Here, we take a look at both fighters in the build-up to Eddie Hall vs Thor while also giving our expert boxing prediction on the outcome of the fight.
Eddie Hall:
A household name amongst British viewers of World’s Strongest Man, Hall is one of the most recognisable men on the planet.
With his no-nonsense approach to life and his refusal to back down and accept defeat, Hall has a steely mentality and that will come in handy in the boxing ring.
Hall’s rigorous training regime has helped the Stoke man to get into shape but he is still in the heavyweight level of boxing weight classes.
However, that isn’t an issue as the fight is scheduled to take place at heavyweight level. In terms of preparation, Hall couldn’t have asked for a better start to his plan to defeat his arch rival.
September’s Eddie Hall vs Thor bout will set his wife and children up for life – it looks set to be one of the most lucrative bouts in boxing history.
Hafthor Bjornsson:
Thor is an incredible athlete and that could give him the edge when it comes to September’s bout. That, and the fact he has a clear height advantage over his opponent.
Not only was Thor the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe’s Strongest Man and World’s Strongest Man in the same year but he is also a former professional basketball player.
Standing at a colossal 6 feet and 9 inches, it is no surprise that Thor was once considered an elite prospect in basketball but injuries impacted his chances of success.
However, he did appear 32 times for the Icelandic junior national basketball teams between 2004 and 2006 and that is a fantastic achievement in itself.
Eddie Hall Weight Loss:
Hall has undergone a dramatic transformation while preparing for his fight with Thor, losing an incredible 36kg in weight to get in the best shape of his life.
His physique is now learner than ever before and Hall looks primed to give Thor a run for his money, particularly if Hall continues to follow his strict calorie intake and training regime.
Hall discussed his weight loss, stating: “Cardio training for big guys is unique, you have to adapt it so that you don’t lose muscle and don’t tire out.
“Using methods to not only improve your cardiovascular system but also help your body to recover after weight sessions by shifting lactic acid, helping the tendons, ligaments and muscles to repair.”
According to reports, Hall has had to completely revamp his diet to lose the weight but the former strongmen is still consuming around 7000 calories per day.
Eddie Hall vs Thor:
Hall has the tenacity and the desire but Thor has the skillset and the physical advantages – it is fair to say this one is evenly poised with just a few months of training camp remaining.
Two of the most prolific and well-known strongmen on the planet, it is going to be a fantastic event that puts both fighters to the test.
Thor is likely to be a narrow favourite in sports betting odds for the bout but Hall’s physique could swing the fight in his favour, particularly if the Icelandic fighter begins to show signs of fatigue.
If nothing else, the fight is certainly going to boost Eddie Hall net worth numbers. The 2017 World’s Strongest Man was worth an estimated $5 million as of February 2021 but that figure should rise drastically by the end of the year.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kathy McCormack / AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 31st March 2021
