1. Klitschko-Fury is Gonna Make It Rain
Like, a lot. Fury’s antics and verbal assaults might be cringe-worthy at best, but the 27-year-old is generating a lot of interest for Klitschko-Fury. His showmanship and obnoxiousness, certainly towards Klitschko himself, makes the pre-fight amble hard to turn away from. Kinda’ like rubber-necking while driving – you know you shouldn’t look at the car crash, but you just can’t help it.
Big bucks are on the horizon. From this moment until Fury does his famous ‘stepping over the ropes’ into the ring, it’s going to be hard for anyone to resist tuning into this event and coughing up for the Sky Sports Box Office event. Fury, Klitschko, K2 Promotions, Matchroom and co are going to need a bigger bank.
iFL TV cameras caught all the action – and we do mean ‘action’:
2. David Haye’s Antics Pale in Comparison
Remember that other Brit Klitschko faced who created a pre-fight storm back in 2011? The guy who wore a tee shirt with decapitated Klitschko brothers and refused to sit in the same room as Wladimir? That man was David Haye, of course, a blown up Cruiserweight who also had a big mouth going into his own bout with Klitschko, which ultimately made his lackluster performance even more…well, lackluster.
But Haye’s insults and disrespect pale in comparison to Tyson Fury’s. Unless my memory fails me, I don’t recall Haye playing dress up as Batman, taking out the Joker, interrupting Klitschko’s every word, and assaulting the human senses even half as much as Fury has. Even Adrian Broner’s press conferences seem like a Sunday picnic in comparison.
3. A Fury Defeat Could Make Him a ‘Real Clown’
Klitschko said he knows a lot of entertainers who work for popular circus act, Cirque Du Soleil, and that Fury is talented enough to join them. (Mmm…I’m not sure I’d like to see that show.) But should Fury take a beating in this fight, or suffer an early knockout, a lot of people may start to wonder whether Fury really did just ‘clown’ himself into it, using his outlandish comments and antics to the max.
It must have created a lot of pressure on Fury to perform here, make no mistake. Klitschko also pointed out that Fury has stated he will retire if he loses to Klitschko. But, er…to do what exactly? Many other fighters have uttered these same words time and again, and none stayed true to them.
4. A Klitschko Defeat Would Make a Heavy Dent in Legacy of ‘Dr Steelhammer’
Yes, even after 11 years of straight wins and at 39-years-old. Klitschko is a well respected Heavyweight of his era, but even his accomplishments are the subject of much debate. Because, you know, the division, until now, has been pretty weak since the late 90s.
Unlike the majority of Klitschko’s opponent’s, Fury’s a towering fighter of true Heavyweight stature (see our Klitschko vs Fury Stats). And if Fury gets the win, by whatever means, Klitschko’s detractors will be ready to take aim at Klitschko’s standing as a true Heavyweight great, warranted or not.
5. Klitschko Is One Cool-Headed Cat
Klitschko is an articulate, refined gentleman, and it’s true this type of character isn’t always embraced well in boxing. Actually, that’s, er…pretty much always the case. But you’ve got to hand it to the guy; despite being ridiculed about his age, career and achievements, and being interrupted by Fury constantly, he’s not lost his cool once.
Instead, Klitschko laughs, responds maturely, and more than often manages to make Fury look infantile. Klitschko often applauds Fury on his antics, labeling him “entertaining”, refusing to fire back an insult. And if he does, it’s more constructive criticism than malicious. Klitschko says he’ll make Fury a better, more decent human being on October 24th, just as he did David Haye. Klitschko is playing a ‘corrector’ role of sorts, like a wistful father about to teach his son a painful lesson.
Thoughts on Klitschko-Fury, fight fans? Who has the edge psychologically at this point? Wladimir Klitschko, a man well accustomed to this kind of behaviour? Or Tyson Fury, a man whose tongue requires a straight-jacket?
Mark Phillips is the Head Staff Writer/Assistant Editor at BoxingBase.com, and provides worldwide news, coverage and analysis – he can be reached via our Contact Page.
