While boxing fans and analysts can lament about the lack of talent in the heavyweight division, Klitschko has been able to stop every challenge in his way since October 2004.
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The hard-punching, highly intelligent “Dr Steelhammer” hasn’t lost for 11 years.
The tale of the tape tells depicts a frightening reality, that beyond Dereck Chisora – who Fury has beaten comfortably twice – you would struggle to pick a fringe World level heavyweight from the list of fighters who have shared a ring with the 27-year old from the North West of England. Of greater significance, Klitschko has won 18 straight championship contests and remains a threat to Joe Louis’ longstanding record of 25 successful defenses.
Klitschko vs Fury is available live on Sky Sports Box Office with programming to begin at 7pm [GMT].
“I won’t be the champion I think I am”.
Many critics state Klitschko is a boring fighter, but the stats seem to suggest otherwise. I think Wlad could beat the rest of them out there. Lewis is concerned that Fury was dropped by a cruiserweight in Steve Cunningham in the past.
The fight is 7/5 to go the distance while Klitschko is 43/20 to win inside the first six rounds and 9/4 for victory on points.
Nottingham’s former world champion is another who thinks Fury could be in for the biggest night of his life on Saturday. Regrettably for the “Black Rocky“, even when substandard, Klitschko primarily dominated with his prolific left jab. It’s an effective, robotic style which has served him well, but it never changes. Steward turned Wladimir into a cautious fighter who rarely committed to power shots. “He’s getting knocked out for sure”.
My biggest worry here is the referee.
The main event between Fury and Klitschko is due to have the ring walks get under way at 8:55 am (AEDT), with the fight not long after that.
Fury, 27, does not lack confidence and on the eve of the clash in front of a 50,000-plus crowd in the Esprit Arena, he was goading Klitschko.
But Klitschko has no intention of ending his career just under four months before his 40th birthday.
“I don’t know what song yet, but I’ll be singing”, he said. Then when the champion attempts to grab, Fury will try to rough him up.
The key to beating Klitschko is from a southpaw stance.
Fury also has been known to occasionally dress as Batman and head-butt watermelons.
He’s so big,
fast and fearless. We all know he can sufficiently clinch smaller and less athletic opponents, but how would Wladimir react if he was forced to scrap?
There might be rocky moments for Tyson because he too has never faced the problems Wlad’s own jab and hand speed will pose him.
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During their pre-fight staredown this week, Fury asked for a smile “let’s see those teeth”, complimenting him on the way he smells. He wants it badly.
