The time has finally come for Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko (64-3 53 KOs) to defend his WBA, IBF, and WBO world heavyweight championships against challenger Tyson Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) as they get in the ring and settle their highly promoted bout live from ESprint Arena in Germany – available respectively on HBO in the US market and Sky Sports PPV in the UK.
For fight fans, this is what we have all been waiting for, a challenger for Klitschko who has the ability to use his overhand right to neutralize the jab and really hurt the reigning champ. Tyson Fury has been verbally calculated in the weeks building up to what could determine the future of the division.
He directly explains to Klitschko his strategy and methodology for defeating the champion. In a recent interview on The Gloves Are Off, the two fighters exchanged verbal jabs at one another over style, opponents, boxing history, and even future plans for the sport as the 27-year-old Fury has even dropped bizarre remarks hinting at an early retirement when he beats Klitschko. Much of the same malarkey has been said in many other title fights, but never by a challenger. The arrogance has grown to wear thin on Klitschko as he has promised to put Fury in his place.
Stylistically, this is a great match-up for both fighters and it will lay the groundwork for the future of the heavyweight division. With rising star Deontay Wilder holding the remaining heavyweight championship, the WBC title belt, the winner of this fight will certainly have a shot at becoming the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion, a feat that boxing fans haven’t seen since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
The long-reigning champion Klitschko will be tested for the first time in many aspects of boxing that he can’t control. Fury has youth, size and strength all in his favor, along with a high boxing IQ.
Look for the corners to make early adjustments as Klitschko and Fury feel each other out. Will Klitschko be able to lean back and throw his patented one-two left jab/straight right, keeping opponents at bay, preventing counter shots by moving his feet and resetting for his next powerful combo?
To the curiosity of many U.S. fight fans, will Klitschko be allowed to hold frequently as he has in many of his past fights? As Tyson Fury looks to upset the 2nd longest reigning champion in the heavyweight division, Wladimir Klitschko, he will need to bring every ounce of physical, mental, and boxing ability as this will be the fight of his lifetime. This fight promises to be a heavyweight battle that fight fans have been craving and won’t want to miss!
