Wladimir Klitschko is a future Hall of Famer with a wealth of experience in the ring. On October 24th at the Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, he will be facing Britian’s Tyson Fury. And it would seem the 6′ 6″ Ukraine is looking forward to the challenge – and even the gratuitous heated press conferences.
Klitschko, who has made 18 successful title defenses (and remained unbeaten for 9 plus years), expects the spectacle to mirror the theatrics of another British fighter.
Any guesses?
“This fight with Fury is pretty much the same situation as it was with David Haye,” said Klitschko. “Fury has a big mouth and is more famous for that than his fighting.”
The David Haye in question performed better than a lot of Klitschko’s more recent opponents, but scored a dismal zero after failing to deliver anything close to the knockout repeatedly promised to the world. The 2011 unification fight ended in a landslide Klitschko decision – and Haye’s infamous excuse was his pinky toe.
“I have experience fighting a British guy with a big mouth. Remember David Haye,” Klitschko went on. “This fight with Fury is pretty much the same situation as it was with David Haye. Fury has a big mouth and is more famous for that than his fighting.”
But Klitschko, being the consummate professional he is, didn’t have all bad things to say about the brash, flamboyant Fury. He acknowledged that the 6′ 9″ boxer can fight, and unlike Haye, could never be blasted as a blown-up Cruiserweight.
“I have that experience with that as well,” Klitschko said, referring to fighting tall men such as 6′ 7.5″ Mariusz Wach in 2012. “And I have fought undefeated fighters, but not a guy that size who changes style between right-handed and southpaw like Fury does. He switches sides very comfortably.”
Fury is certainly a lump, and will likely outweigh Klitschko who himself generally weighs around the 245lb mark for his fights. Fury can be anywhere north of that number meaning one punch, however you view his chances, could equal good night. If it did happen – in front of an expected 54,000 strong German crowd – it would be one of the biggest upsets of 2015.
“This guy is a massive guy, tall, a true heavyweight, big mouth and undefeated,” Klitschko, the IBO, WBA, WBO, IBF Champion said. “It is a real threat, so to say, for the champion, which is me in this case. Many people look forward to see how the champ is going to handle it.”
And many believe Klitschko is going to handle the task just fine. And violently, too. But what’s your take? Does Fury have a chance? And does this fight have any other outcome than a knockout?
The BoxingBase.com writing staff provide worldwide boxing news, coverage and analysis – they can be contacted via email and social media.
