Today’s [Weds] London presser for October 24th’s Klitschko v Fury world title clash started out as a colourful, light hearted affair as the giant 6′ 9″ British challenger – much to the delight of those in attendance – turned up to proceedings in a flashy Lamborghini sports car dressed head to toe in a Batman suit.
After a pre-planned stunt involving Fury wrestling with a member of his team – appropriately dressed as the caped crusader’s villainous comic book foe ‘The Joker’ – it didn’t take long for the good natured mood to sour, with the visibly riled Fury eventually having to be restrained by his father, John, as he screamed insults at the unflappable champion, who had repeatedly referred to him as a ‘clown.’
The London event followed on from the first German presser and began with Fury asking if anyone in attendance thought he was going to lose to Klitschko, and that if they did then they should stand up and be counted.
“Is there anyone here who doesn’t think I’m going to send Wlad into retirement?,” he asked. “See? Welcome to my city, my people, UK baby!” he continued when there were no takers, clearly animated and enjoying the occasion, which was far less sedate than the German conference in which Fury called Klitschko about as charismatic as his underwear.
When it came the turn of the champion to speak he chose to reference the earlier Batman antics that saw his belts spill off the display table and onto the floor, repeatedly calling Fury a clown, which prompted the angry outburst from Tyson who was heard screaming, “I’ll fight you now, I don’t have to wait until October,” as his father held him back.
“You need a therapy [sic], you’re visiting a doctor right now,” Wladimir said evenly in response as he remained seated, again promising to work through Fury’s ‘issues’ in the ring.
Clearly unruffled by the challenger’s outburst, he continued. “If I say clown you should take it as a compliment. I have friends in the circus industry and it’s a tough job. So calm down, sit down.”
The two then met for an intense head to head and stare down, with the rest of the presser passing without incident.
“It was most entertaining press conference I’ve been involved [with] in 25 years in boxing,” Klitschko later said to Sky Sports News. “I think he is a bi-polar psychopath and I promise I will give him his therapy like I have a lot of guys before,” he added. “He is in with a doctor and he has had his first therapy session today.”
Klitschko/Fury will be live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and HBO in the US on October 24th
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