Fans of boxing’s glamour division – depending on your opinion – will be thrilled to hear there’s finally a big Heavyweight showdown on the horizon. Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury have finally agreed terms, with the fight to take place on October 24th, Dusseldorf, Germany. Both men are ‘big’ Heavyweights, and can bang (see just how much clout they carry in our Boxing’s Hardest Punchers.)
In what will be the biggest Heavyweight title fight since Wilder vs Stiverne back in January, this will certainly get the VIP treatment from press on a worldwide scale. In fact, this spectacle has Klitschko vs Haye written all over it in terms of pre-fight nastiness. Would it be a given to say that self-marketing motor-mouth Fury will be the one dishing out all the insults and shoving? Yes, it would.
And it’s going to make for a tasty buildup as long it doesn’t wonder into Derek Chisora territory (you know, all that spitting in the face business). But as flavorsome as that buildup could potentially be, will it make for an entertaining fight? Or more specifically: a competitive one?
Most people’s gut feeling is that Klitschko (64-3, 53 KO), who has a wealth of experience behind him, is going to sever the senses of Fury rather quickly. That’s a safe bet, and many will be placing their money on the 6′ 6″ Russian. Fury (24-0, 18 KO), who has not come anywhere close to facing world class opposition – let’s be honest – will stand the best of capturing victory by chasing an early knockout. If he chooses to box, the Brit is toast.
OK, let’s give Fury a fair shake here. The guy may be crude and a big underdog, but his chances of beating Klitschko aren’t too bad. Klitschko didn’t look too hot against Bryant Jennings recently in a fight most expected him to leave early. Klitschko went the distance, and though he took away a Unanimous Decision, he made very hard work of Jennings. His performance perhaps signaled that at 39-years-old, and with 67 bouts under his belt, attrition is starting to set in.
It’s also no secret that Klitschko carries a suspect chin, hence his decision to fight exclusively behind the jab following knockout defeats to men like Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster in the early 2000’s. Fury, given his height and reach advantage over many of today’s Heavyweights, has a fairly good chance of tagging and upsetting Klitschko – if he can find him. For what it’s worth, Fury is three inches taller at 6′ 9″.
How do you rate Fury’s chances against Klitschko? Could there be an upset on the cards here? Let us know how you see Klitschko vs Fury going below.
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