Today the second kick-off press conference with Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury took place at the RTL media center in Cologne, Germany. With an attendance of 150 media representatives and 250 RTL associates, the TV broadcaster organized a first-class media event marking the ten year anniversary of close partnership with the Klitschko Management Group.
Klitschko Management Group CEO Bernd Bönte highlighted the quality of this partnership: “We have been to Madison Square Garden in New York, we had fights in Germany, Poland, Russia, and wherever I go, I always get compliments on the quality of the production. The Klitschko Management Groups says thank you to RTL and its associates.”
Bönte also spoke on developments in boxing in the past years and the influence of the first fight between Klitschko and Fury in November 2015: “This upcoming fight has completely different prerequisites. In the last two years, you have to admit the interest was going down. It does not matter who Klitschko fights, he will win anyway. And then Tyson Fury came along and now he wants to prove he can defend the titles. Wladimir as the flagship of boxing wants to prove he can wind them back. We are expecting an exciting fight. The resonance is gigantic.”
Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, said: “This is an incredible fight. Better than the first. Everybody knows how good a fighter Tyson Fury is. Wladimir is going to come for it. In Tyson we have the best fighter on the planet. We have the most entertaining man in sports worldwide. Enjoy this man while he is there. They don’t come along very often.”
Fury’s coach and uncle, Peter Fury, added: “This is a genuine fifty-fifty fight. Tyson knows what to expect and Wladimir knows what to expect. This is a great fight. I do see a stop in this one. It’s not going to distance. Please enjoy the rematch and may the best man win.”
After the management statements, Wladimir Klitschko took the podium repeating Mick Hennessy’s words: “Enjoy the time while Tyson Fury is champion. It’s not for long.” He went on addressing his fans: “I thought I had fans who followed my successes, but after my loss, I realized that was wrong. I have hardcore Klitschko fans. True fans of boxing. This rematch is for you and for myself. That fight will be exciting from the bell on. The result, the name of the winner will not be the same. I will win this fight.”
Tyson Fury seemed less talkative compared to yesterday’s press conference in London. After calling out Klitschko for boredom, he turned to the fight: “Let’s give the fans a good fight and I hope this time he will come to fight.” Both fighters continued with a long chat during the pose for the stare-down picture. After a few moments, Tyson Fury grabbed the microphone and opened up about his hopes for the fight. He said he wants Wladimir to win to take away from him the burden of being champion, including the media presence and living the lifestyle of a proper athlete. Tyson remains a good source of surprises.
Repeat or Revenge will take place at the Manchester Arena on July 9. The fight will be broadcast exclusively by BoxNation TV.
Tickets can be purchased from www.eventim.co.uk and on 0844 847 8000
At yesterday’s press conference in the Manchester Arena in Manchster, UK, Wladimir Klitschko and current WBO, WBA Super, IBO and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury met again for the first time after Wladimir’s November 2015 loss in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Wladimir reminded the 150 national and international media representatives of the comments Fury made over the past months regarding his views on homosexuals and the treatment of women. Referring to Fury’s remarks, Wladimir focused on the social responsibility that comes with being a champion – to provide a positive role model.
On the topic of the prior fight, Klitschko came clean: “I’ve been going through a lot of emotions in the past months. One thing that I can confirm, I made a mistake and that mistake cost me the titles. Of course, it’s not easy to fight a challenger with the great skills that Fury has.” He followed this with a prediction of the next fight’s outcome on July 9. “I won’t waste my words here. I will knock Tyson Fury out. I will feel great walking into the ring in this arena.”
Backed up by his defeat of Wladimir, Tyson Fury appeared self-confident, broadcasting his skills like a loudspeaker. “Seems that Wladimir has found his bullets. He got beat the first time fair and square and he can make all excuses.” Asked whether he thinks Wladimir can change his style, Fury answered: “Larry Holmes could not change his style at 36 when he lost his title to Spinks. If the great Larry Holmes can’t do it, the great Klitschko can’t do it. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI4JdK-c7gM
The tense press conference was a promising start for the countdown to Repeat or Revenge, which will take place at the Manchester Arena on July 9. Tomorrow, a second press conference in Cologne, Germany, will follow.
The fight will be broadcasted exclusively by BoxNation TV. Tickets can be purchased from www.eventim.co.uk and on 0844 847 8000
BoxNation, Hennessy Sports, K2 Promotions and KMG officially announced the Manchester Arena will host the long-awaited rematch between Wladimir Klitschko and undefeated linear WBO, WBA Super, IBO and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.
Europe’s biggest indoor arena has a capacity of 21,000 and was home to the boxing matches of Mike Tyson, David Haye, John Ruiz and many Naseem Hamed world championship bouts.
Besides other sporting events, the arena hosts international rock and pop superstars like Madonna, Rihanna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Elton John and Coldplay.
Under the motto “Repeat or Revenge,” the titles of WBA Super Champion, WBO and IBO World Champion are on the line. The fight will take place in Manchester, UK, on July 9th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GRB_fkJlVw
The fight will be broadcasted exclusively by BoxNation TV and by RTL in Germany.
