We’ve all seen the movie Rocky IV, where Russian terror Ivan Drago uses a hi-tech approach to training, while old slugger Rocky Balboa sticks to the old-school methods of chopping trees and running in the snow and the like. Well, real-life ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko is taking no chances ahead of his must-win rematch with new heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury; using both tried and tested and new, hi-tech methods so as to be able to avenge a loss he himself calls “embarrassing.”
As per his official Instagram account, the 40-year-old former long-reigning heavyweight king revealed how he is using a Cyrosauna – with a temperature of -150C – to workout in, along with lots of cycling and swimming. Klitschko is also using older training routines, what he calls his “Rocky Balboa-style workouts,” which we assume includes sparring, hitting the bags, etc.
“I made a mistake, I’m embarrassed by it,” Klitschko said on his loss to Fury last year as quoted by Sky Sports. “You think you really know what cold is? Cyrosauna, -150C gives you one of the best recoveries for your body and mind. In the first weeks of camp, I concentrate on basic training as always. Other than the classic Rocky Balboa-style workouts common in boxing, I integrate a lot of cycling and swimming. The focus and motion are perfect for building up physical and mental strength.”
Klitschko may need mental strength more than the physical variety in the July 9 rematch, especially as he will be leaving the familiar surroundings of his fights for the first time in a long time. Fury has said many times he feels Klitschko will be intimidated by the vast Manchester crowd set to file into The Manchester Arena on fight night, or to put it in Fury’s own crude words, “Wlad will s**t himself.” Klitschko, though, insists he will let his hands go this time round and maybe he will.
The new hi-tech training might help, a little bit, but Klitschko must land some bombs on Fury’s chin to win; it seems that simple. One thing is assured: Klitschko will enter the ring in great condition, physically. Fury, who has been training in Holland and currently looks nothing like the grossly overweight non-athlete who had such a fun time at that infamous Manchester press conference at the end of April, also looks set to enter the ring in great shape.
Who has the advantage going into the return meeting? Fury has the added confidence of being the reigning champion, and he is fighting at home. Klitschko seems to have less pressure being the challenger instead of the long dominant, expected to win champion. This one really is a 50-50 fight.
With just over three weeks to go, this fight will be here sooner than we know it. Will Fury’s oft-controversial reign continue, or will Klitschko become a three-time champion?
