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Klitschko vs Fury: A build-up to remember, a fight to forget

By Liam McInerney

Expect fireworks if Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury agree to face off. Outside the ring that is.

Fury, a brash talking Manchester fighter of Irish descent, is notorious for disrespecting fellow competitors.

Presenting himself as a role model is of no interest to Fury. Before his second bout with Dereck Chisora he argued: “I do what I want. This is boxing not tap dancing. I don’t give a f*** who is sat there listening.”

If a deal is reached, Fury will utilise his attacking assets- the press and his witty Twitter account, to try and disrupt the heavyweight champion of the world.

Klitschko is too experienced to be unsettled by insults. But Fury’s crude comments will entertain. He has previously branded Klitschko a “wimp who is scared to death” to fight him.

But once the bell sounds, prompting the end of words and the beginning of physical battle, the excitement will cease.

The era where great heavyweights fought in unforgettable thrillers has died. Smaller men such as Floyd Mayweather, Gennady Golovkin and Carl Frampton are now the attractions of boxing.

Despite being undefeated, Tyson’s record is unremarkable. A surprise victory against the Ukrainian champion would change that.

Fury’s encounters with Chisora were tedious affairs which inspired boos from the crowd, although Fury was untroubled and has a record of 24 wins and no losses.

Klitschko boxes effectively although his fights can be tiresome. But he is 39 years-old and rarely gets tested. His famous jab has been the prominent reason for the failings of his challengers.

When we think of our favourite heavyweights we visualise people like Mike Tyson, who entered the ring to knock out his opponents. Unfortunately 12 round ponderous slug fests are what we have become accustomed to at that weight class. However American world champion Deontay Wilder and future champion Anthony Joshua would dispute otherwise.

No wonder we relish the lighter divisions where we see quicker, sharper boxers who compete in more explosive events. Power is temporary but challengers like Tyson Fury are not going to illuminate the shadow of a once peerless division.

He won’t put exasperated expressions on our faces by knocking out Klitschko. But he will make us laugh throughout the time leading to fight night, like when he told Chisora that he “was the ugliest man (Fury has) ever seen”.

What can we anticipate when the curtain closes on the bonkers build-up? A comfortable decision win is predictable but if Fury takes risks (which he will have to in order to have any chance), or his stamina falls as the rounds progress, his big night may end early.

Hopefully Klitschko and Fury force me to revel in embarrassment by providing a memorable contest.

If Tyson holds out for the duration, he will be in the ring with high level opponents in future. At the slender age of 26, Fury should get more world title shots in his career especially once Klitschko retires.

While you can never be sure how two men will perform in a boxing match, you can guarantee this will be a bizarre build-up.

But be prepared, you may need to go online to watch Fury’s pre fight media appearances, because a lot of what he has to say won’t be appropriate for day time television.

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