Tyson Fury stands 6 feet 9 and weighs about 260 pounds, making him a rare larger opponent for Wladimir Klitschko.
There?s nothing bigger about the enormous Englishman than his mouth, though.
The foul-mouthed Fury has called Klitschko everything from a steroid abuser to a devil worshipper during the buildup toward their heavyweight title fight Saturday in Dusseldorf, Germany. The confrontational contender considers Klitschko an old, overrated, complacent champion who?s ripe to be upset when they meet before a crowd expected to exceed 50,000 at ESPRIT Arena (4:45 p.m.; HBO).
“Like I always said, this is going to be one of my easiest fights,” Fury, 27, said during a news conference Tuesday in Dusseldorf. “That might sound crazy because he?s a super champion, a world champion for 11 years. But I see so many chinks in the armor and I?m going to expose them very quickly.
“There?s just nothing that Wladimir does that makes me afraid or makes me think I can?t win against this guy. ? I can expose what he doesn?t do very good. We?ll see on Saturday night what I?m talking about.”
Klitschko, 39, has heard all this before, even from another brash British contender. But the 6-6, 245-pound Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs) dominated David Haye (26-2, 24 KOs) four years ago, another in a string of impressive performances from the long-reigning heavyweight champion.
“I?ve faced a lot of guys who?ve promised a lot before [the fight] and haven?t delivered anything in the ring,” Klitschko said. “So we?ll see what is inside of Tyson Fury.”
Fury (24-0, 18 KOs), the mandatory challenger for Klitschko?s WBO title, is athletic for a man his size, yet hasn?t fought anyone as big, strong or accomplished as Klitschko.
The huge Ukrainian has won 22 straight fights since Lamon Brewster stopped him in the fifth round of their April 2004 title fight in Las Vegas. He also has made 18 straight defenses of the IBF heavyweight championship he won from Chris Byrd in April 2006, which leaves him within reasonable reach of Joe Louis? boxing record of 25 consecutive title defenses.
Critics have questioned Klitschko?s technical, safety-first style over the past 10 years, however, he hasn?t come close to losing since Samuel Peter dropped him three times during their September 2005 fight in Atlantic City.
“He?s very good at boxing, not a very good entertainer,” Fury told The Associated Press recently. “Unfortunately, fans have had to put up with it for a long time. He?s been able to get away with it because of his athleticism and size over the other victims. They go in there without a chance. But that?s where I change it all. I?m taller, heavier, younger, fresher, faster.”
A mildly amused Klitschko has dismissed Fury as a bipolar circus clown who?s overcompensating because he is nervous about taking such a steep step up in competition.
“He?s a bully,” Klitschko said, “but inside he?s very insecure and very weak.”
Klitschko and Fury were supposed to fight Oct. 24, but their scheduled 12-rounder was postponed for five weeks because Klitschko suffered a calf injury during training camp in September. Their representatives bickered Tuesday about which gloves the fighters will wear, but they seemed confident the issue would be resolved today.
Klitschko is more concerned about settling their ultimate issue Saturday.
“This young man definitely needs a lesson in behavior, which I?ll be happy to give him,” Klitschko said. “I?ve done it a couple times. I?m an experienced therapist. ? I?m going to make him a better person.”
Twitter: @Idecboxing
