Wladimir Klitschko asked the first question at the start of
what will be a long pre-fight ritual and Tyson Fury gave him the answer in his
usual uncensored fashion.
Klitschko inquired: 'How do you feel about fighting for the
world heavyweight championship for the first time?'
Fury replied: 'It is my mission to rid boxing of you because
you're a boring old man. You have as much charisma as my underpants.
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Tyson Fury (left) and Wladimir Klitschko
are preparing to face each other for the world heavyweight title
The pair will do battle at the
Esprit-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany in front of a sell-out crowd
Fury used explicit language throughout
the press conference as he looked forward to the fight
Klitschko has heard these kind of taunts
throughout his career and laughed off his opponent's jibes
'You're a wrinkled old man with a glass chin and I am going to
make that glass explode like a bottle hitting a wall.'
What had begun as a mutually respectful first media conference
to begin setting up Fury's return to Dusseldorf for his stadium mega-fight on
October 24 suddenly had lift off.
Fury used some bad language: 'I'm an American-style fighter
with European fitness and that adds up to you're f*****.'
There was an unprintable obscenity hung around the first
syllable of the multiple champion's surname.
There were more threats and insults as the giant Manchester
traveller pointed at the five belts – WBA, IBF, WBO. IBO and The Ring - on the
table in front of Klitschko and said: 'I don't care about those. I don't care
about money. I don't care about my legacy or going down in history.
'I just want to smash your old face and I don't give a f***
what anybody thinks because I don't give a f*** about being a role
model.'
The Germans made much of how victory would take Klitschko to 28
world title fights, one more than the old record held by the immortal Joe
Louis.
But Fury said: 'Are you greater than Louis, Ali, Frazier,
Holmes? I think not. You've just fought bums well selected for you by your
management.
Fury attempted to provoke Klitschko into
a reaction during the photoshoot but he kept calm
'When I look at you I'm not feared. I don't even see a big man
because you're not only shorter than me (Fury is 6ft 9in, Klitschko 6ft 6in) but
you're light for a modern heavyweight.
'When I went to your training camp once I saw just your tired
old jab-and-grab routine. I came away full of confidence. You're nothing.
History tells that when even great heavyweights get to your age (Klitschko is
39) they go into rapid decline. It also says that old men give way to young
lions like me (Fury is 26).
'You look old even though I think you've had botox.
Jab-and-grab won't be enough against me.'
The 'Gypsy King' has warned the
39-year-old that he will be the best fighter he's ever faced
Klitschko, a sports psychologist, talked of repeating the
'therapy' he administered in beating David Haye 'which made him a better
person.'
Fury reacted: 'I'll hire you as my therapist after the fight
because you'll be out of a job.'
But when that, and much more, was said and done, it would not
be correct to depict as a rant and a bust-up on this preview visit to
Dussledorf's magnificent football stadium, under the sliding roof of which
55,000 will watch these two have the argument which really matters.
The tickets went on sale on Tuesday. Klitschko announced a
renewed five-fight deal with his German TV paymasters. Bidding for the UK
broadcast rights began with Sky, BoxNation and BT all in contention.
Fury tweeted this just a few hours before
the press conference got under way
Klitschko laughed at the Tyson tirade and said: 'Good. Now he's
being entertaining. That means the fight will be exciting. This is
business.'
Fury had been the personification of politeness at the opening
of the session: 'Wladimir is a great champion and at his age I admire him for
taking on a young gun like me. He never ducks anyone.'
Then he said: 'It's not business for me. It's personal. You're
a robotic bore and I fell asleep listening to your long speech. 'I will shut you
up.'
The Ukrainian has an impressive record of
64-3 and is looking to improve that against Fury
That, certainly, was easier said than done. Klitschko – in
suit-and-tie contrast to Fury's smart sports shirt – controlled the occasion and
enjoyed doing so, drawing Fury out by saying: 'You sing, you dance, you're a
cool dude.'
The reply: 'I'm also unique, the one-in-a-thousand-years
fighter you have never faced before and never will again.'
The 39-year-old fighter had all five of
his heavyweight belts with him at the press conference
In reference to Fury's extra height and ability to switch from
an orthodox stance to a right lead, Klitschko said: 'I've fought smaller men,
big men and southpaws and I've always found the key to the
challenge.'
'Not this time,' said Fury, who added: 'You're getting knocked
out and then I may come and live in Germany and take over your new TV
contract.'
Klitschko said: 'Sometimes a 26-year-old boxer goes over the
edge but this will be a big experience for him, boxing the world heavyweight
champion in front of a 55,000 crowd.
Fury looks down on the Ukrainian and
he'll have a height advantage of three inches when they fight
'And I don't have words to express my delight that he has to
fight someone so old. Because with age comes wisdom. My fists will speak louder
than his mouth.'
But both men were trying hard not to smile, even when they
continued the banter while posing for the customary stare-down
photographs.
The box office reported brisk opening sales. Business is
booming.
They shook hands on it.
Klitschko addressed the media and kept a
cool head with Fury goading him throughout the briefing.
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