Boxing fans are in for another treat this week after last weekend’s WBC World Middleweight Title fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Miguel Cotto. This Saturday will see the eyes of the boxing world firmly fixed on the Dusseldorf Espirit Arena where Wladimir Klitchko and Tyson Fury will square up for WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight Titles.
The bout, which was originally meant to take place in October, was rescheduled because of an injury suffered by the big Ukrainian. However, after seeing a specialist in Germany, the best heavyweight fighter in the world has been cleared to fight this Saturday.
Tale of the tape
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Wladimir Klitschko
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Name
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Tyson Fury
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39
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Age
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27
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Orthodox
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Stance
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Orthodox
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198 CM
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Height
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206 CM
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206 CM
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Reach
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216 CM
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64 (53 KOs)
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Won
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24 (18 KOs)
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3 (3 KOs)
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Lost
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0
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79%
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KO%
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75%
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To Win Fight
Wladimir Klitschko 1/5
Tyson Fury 7/2
Tyson Fury 7/2
Wladimir Klitschko
After suffering a few crushing KOs earlier in his career, Wladimir Klitschko has gone on to become one of the greatest heavyweight champions the world has ever seen. While the Ukrainian doesn’t have any out-and-out weaknesses, some older fight fans will remember the three defeats he suffered at the hands of relatively average opponents.
The last time Klitschko tasted defeat was at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino against Lamon Brewster. That fight saw the current World Champion suffer a TKO after Brewster hammered the Ukrainian into the corner before the referee called a standing count, upon resumption of the fight, Brewster continued to hammer away at an exhausted Klitschko who would eventually collapse to the canvas. A lot has changed since then, though. Klitschko is now a much more well-rounded fighter with an almost impenetrable defence.
Klitschko will have to use every bit of his technical superiority if he is going to defeat his much younger challenger. For someone so massive, his lateral movement is something to behold. He’ll need to employ the world-famous jab that earned him the nickname Dr. Steelhammer, to wear down his British challenger. He’ll likely use the jab to set up the hook which has left so many of his previous opponents nailed to the canvas.
One thing the champion won’t be used to is dealing with a man so much bigger than he is. Fury enters this contest with a 10 CM reach advantage of Klitschko, allowing him to stay out of reach of the big-hitting Ukrainian. The defending champion won’t want this fight to happen at long range, though – he’ll try and clinch as much as he can working on the body, before breaking free and trying to land flurries.
Tyson Fury
Fury has the chance to restore some pride to British heavyweight boxing after the farcical displays and rubbish behaviour of David Chisora and David Haye. Fury heads into this fight undefeated after 24 professional bouts and boasts an impressive 75% KO record.
He will need to be at his very best if he’s going to challenge Klitschko on Saturday evening, though. Fury likes to turn his bouts into absolute brawls, and to be honest, that may be the only way he can beat the defending champion. By engaging in a ‘street fight’ and ruffling the usually unflappable Ukrainian’s feathers, Fury will look to use his immense power to KO the champion.
Fury will be looking to wear down his smaller, older opponent. Being 12 years younger than Klitschko, the Gypsy King should have more in the tank if the fight goes on into the latter rounds. He’ll also enter the ring with a considerable height and reach advantage. This, however, could play into Klitschko’s hands.
The Brit, like so many other tall fighters, has a tendency to lean into opponents in the ring. If he does this on Saturday night, he’s going to spend a lot of time eating Klitschko’s straight right. He’ll need to use all of his strength as well as his size advantage to manoeuvre his smaller opponent against the ropes and while fighting at close range.
Verdict: Wladimir Klitschko 1/5
Klitschko is just too good in terms of the technique to lose out to a brawler like Tyson Fury. I’d actually be quite surprised if the bout goes beyond six rounds. Back the Ukrainian juggernaut to brush Fury aside on Saturday evening.
