TYSON FURY HAS launched a damming assessment of world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko ahead of their title bout in Dusseldorf on Saturday night.
The pair are due to clash at the 55,000-capacity Esprit Arena with the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles on the line as Klitschko (64-3) defends his belts against undefeated 27-year-old Fury (24-0).
The challenger has been colourfully vocal in the build-up to the bout and while he was somewhat pensive at Friday’s weigh-in, Fury verbally ripped into his Ukrainian opponent when speaking to the media earlier.
“Sorry to be so real, but let’s not dress this up – he (Klitschko) is mutton dressed as lamb. He’s a 40-year-old woman full of make-up from half a mile away,” said Fury, adding a year on to his 39-year-old opponent’s age.
“He looks like a supermodel, but when you get to her and poke her a few times, she’s all soft and saggy with make-up on, she looks like a right dog. That’s what Wlad is.
He’s all painted and pretty, he’s pumped a few weights, he looks all good… but it ain’t what it seems to be.
Having dressed up as Batman at a prior press conference to promote the fight, Fury has been enthusiastically colourful before the fight but the challenger has seemingly taken a more serious approach to the bout in recent days.
As much as Klitschko is often criticised for his methodical and somewhat robotic style, the champion has successfully defended some version of the heavyweight title 23 times in total, 18 times since 2006, and boxed the guts of 178 rounds since last tasting defeat in a 64-3 career.
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Klitschko in action at a public workout earlier this week. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Fury, a 10/3 underdog, faces a huge challenge, but he has proven to be a disciplined and capable boxer under the guidance of his trainer and uncle, Peter.
Despite being floored twice in his career, Fury has never been on the canvas when he has had his uncle in his corner and Peter Fury was stark in his assessment of the task at hand.
“Klitschko is a phenomenal puncher. I’m not looking at Tyson going down to show to people how he can get up, I’m looking for Tyson to miss his shots from the beginning so all these are all strategies that were worked on.
Defence is a big key in this fight as well as attack, but if you’re too defensive you’ve got no attack… it’s a fine balance to get inside and short circuit Wladimir at what he does.
The champion compared the antics of his rival to that of David Haye, who he comprehensively beat despite the Londoner’s similar mouthing prior to their 2011 bout, and Klitschko hinted that he wants a stoppage win to silence Fury.
“What would be better than a spectacular finish? That is what it is all about. It is always the cherry on the cake, of course,” said Klitschko.
The clear win is the best when you get the stoppage. There is controversy if it is on points sometimes, the wrong judgement, another direction, maybe rematch. I think it is pretty clear.
Fury is a Manchester native, who previously held the Irish heavyweight title which he was eligible to fight for thanks to his family links to Galway and Antrim.
The 27-year-old labelled Klitschko a ‘plastic German’ as the Ukranian, who was born in Kazakhstan, has built his pro career in Germany.
Fury: now faces by far the biggest challenge of his undefeated career. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The proud Traveller has often boxed in green and shamrock-patterned shorts, but he argued against the suggestion that he could be labelled a ‘plastic Paddy’.
“I don’t claim to be Irish. I’m born and bred in Manchester. But I’ve got Irish heritage. I’m not trying to be an Irishman,” said Fury.
“You can tell by the way I talk – it’s very not Irish, is it?
I’m boxing out of Manchester UK. And also, Klitschko doesn’t have any German blood in him, does he? Klitschko’s grandad wasn’t a German, was he?
“I am what I am and I ain’t trying to be something I’m not. I’ve always stated that,” added Fury, whose grandparents were Irish.
Meanwhile, an undefeated Irish fighter will feature on the bill as Meath-based Finglas native Jono Carroll (8-0) fights on the undercard of the big fight card, with the undefeated super-featherweight taking on Miguel Gonzalez (13-3) of Honduras.
“I don’t fold under pressure, pressure doesn’t really get to me,” said Carroll of the opportunity.
Even with this one, people are saying it’s a 55,000-seater stadium, a football stadium, it’s madness. It’s just another day in the office.
“I embrace the fight, I want the fight, it’s exciting,” said 23-year-old Carroll.
'Klitschko is a 40-year-old woman full of make-up': Fury gets personal before world title tilt
TYSON FURY HAS launched a damming assessment of world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko ahead of their title bout in Dusseldorf on Saturday night.
The pair are due to clash at the 55,000-capacity Esprit Arena with the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles on the line as Klitschko (64-3) defends his belts against undefeated 27-year-old Fury (24-0).
The challenger has been colourfully vocal in the build-up to the bout and while he was somewhat pensive at Friday’s weigh-in, Fury verbally ripped into his Ukrainian opponent when speaking to the media earlier.
“Sorry to be so real, but let’s not dress this up – he (Klitschko) is mutton dressed as lamb. He’s a 40-year-old woman full of make-up from half a mile away,” said Fury, adding a year on to his 39-year-old opponent’s age.
“He looks like a supermodel, but when you get to her and poke her a few times, she’s all soft and saggy with make-up on, she looks like a right dog. That’s what Wlad is.
Having dressed up as Batman at a prior press conference to promote the fight, Fury has been enthusiastically colourful before the fight but the challenger has seemingly taken a more serious approach to the bout in recent days.
As much as Klitschko is often criticised for his methodical and somewhat robotic style, the champion has successfully defended some version of the heavyweight title 23 times in total, 18 times since 2006, and boxed the guts of 178 rounds since last tasting defeat in a 64-3 career.
Fury, a 10/3 underdog, faces a huge challenge, but he has proven to be a disciplined and capable boxer under the guidance of his trainer and uncle, Peter.
Despite being floored twice in his career, Fury has never been on the canvas when he has had his uncle in his corner and Peter Fury was stark in his assessment of the task at hand.
“Klitschko is a phenomenal puncher. I’m not looking at Tyson going down to show to people how he can get up, I’m looking for Tyson to miss his shots from the beginning so all these are all strategies that were worked on.
The champion compared the antics of his rival to that of David Haye, who he comprehensively beat despite the Londoner’s similar mouthing prior to their 2011 bout, and Klitschko hinted that he wants a stoppage win to silence Fury.
“What would be better than a spectacular finish? That is what it is all about. It is always the cherry on the cake, of course,” said Klitschko.
Fury is a Manchester native, who previously held the Irish heavyweight title which he was eligible to fight for thanks to his family links to Galway and Antrim.
The 27-year-old labelled Klitschko a ‘plastic German’ as the Ukranian, who was born in Kazakhstan, has built his pro career in Germany.
The proud Traveller has often boxed in green and shamrock-patterned shorts, but he argued against the suggestion that he could be labelled a ‘plastic Paddy’.
“I don’t claim to be Irish. I’m born and bred in Manchester. But I’ve got Irish heritage. I’m not trying to be an Irishman,” said Fury.
“You can tell by the way I talk – it’s very not Irish, is it?
“I am what I am and I ain’t trying to be something I’m not. I’ve always stated that,” added Fury, whose grandparents were Irish.
Meanwhile, an undefeated Irish fighter will feature on the bill as Meath-based Finglas native Jono Carroll (8-0) fights on the undercard of the big fight card, with the undefeated super-featherweight taking on Miguel Gonzalez (13-3) of Honduras.
“I don’t fold under pressure, pressure doesn’t really get to me,” said Carroll of the opportunity.
“I embrace the fight, I want the fight, it’s exciting,” said 23-year-old Carroll.
– Klitschko v Fury is live on Sky Sports Box Office this Saturday. Buy now at skysports.com/klitschkofury
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Boxing Fight night Tyson Fury Wladimir Klitschko