Wladimir Klitschko needs to cement his legacy. At 39 and surely needing to go out with a bang, the long dominant lineal heavyweight champion was anything but true to his promise of excitement in his most recent fight – a voluntary defence against American prospect Bryant Jennings – in which the relative novice gave a fantastic account of himself against a guy who was supposed to blow him out of the ring.
In his first fight on American soil in many years, Wladimir – as part of his HBO television deal – promised the fans excitement – and for those gullible enough to believe him, the contest went the distance and left something of a bad taste in the mouth.
He now finds himself in the position of needing statement fights to round off his Hall-Of-Fame worthy career and credible options for him are few and far between.
Alongside newly crowned WBC champ Deontay Wilder – who is planning on a mandatory defence against unheralded Eric Molina – the only serious test that exists is WBO mandatory Tyson Fury.
The Brit is a serious threat to the German based Ukranian, who announced after his Jennings victory he plans on fulfilling his mandatory obligations – which means the giant Mancunian is to finally get his hard earned chance at world honours.
Ahead of the fight, which is possibly going to take place in London, Tyson’s trainer Peter Fury spoke to iFLtv’s James Helder for Boxnation’s “Cassius & Helder” show about his nephew’s chances in the much talked about clash that has got many in Britain especially – rubbing their hands together in anticipation.
Of the Jennings fight, Peter echoed the sentiments of many when he said;
“It was a very dull affair. What can you say? Klitschko’s a little over cautious of getting hit and that makes for a very dull fight because he’ll do anything to get out the way.”
“The only difference in that fight that mattered was the size and weight difference – the height. But Jennings is a lot better than people think – he’s a decent fighter. But that fight was a boring affair.”
Jennings WAS a decent fighter and surprised many that night. He will come again in my opinion. And there is now a growing belief that at nearly 40 years of age, after becoming a new father and witnessing his brothers political struggles back home in war-torn Ukraine, Wladimir is soon to be there for the taking.
Mind you, after suffering devastating knock-out losses of his own back in the day, he hooked up with legendary Kronk Gym trainer – the late Manny Steward – and crafted and evolved his safety first style. To this day – 11 years later – it has not been penetrated – not truly.
Yet we must have it right. He IS starting to look old – and whilst I’m not suggesting Fury is definitely the man to do it – his natural size and under-rated boxing ability give him the best chance of any recent Klitschko opponent in my humble opinion. “Father Time” is a factor here.
For a man of his size, Wladimir will not so easily be able to adopt the jab-clinch-press down technique he so often uses on smaller opponents. Tyson Fury is 6ft 9″ and is a man who prides himself on his fighting heart. As a traveling man it is in his blood. He has both height AND crucially reach advantages over Wladimir, so the match up is all the more intriguing. Especially given Fury is the younger man by 13 years!! Think about that for a minute.
That’s a long time.
After his knockout of Christian Hammer in February and following his outclassing of Chisora last November, Fury once again called for Klitschko, and after waiting for the champion to acknowledge his duties for a long time – it would appear that he now is to get his chance.
It will be a decent fight this and the real banana skin in Wladimir Klitschko seeking to become an all time top ten heavyweight.
People often cite Fury has having been put down before – especially to a blown-up cruiser like Steve Cunningham – but when I spoke to Peter recently he acknowledged that Tyson made mistakes in the past that he won’t again. He got up then and knows he might not get that chance against a bigger puncher – so in essence he has matured. He knows what is at stake here and it’s what he has been working for.
The fight is looking extremely likely for the Autumn/Fall and Peter said to Helder;
“I spoke to Frank and him and Mick Hennessey are optimistic of making this fight. I think you’re looking September/October the latest. One of those two.”
The fact that the Jennings fight was such a stinker means that Wlad may well not go back to the US for his next fight – despite HBO. Wilder is the only serious American challenge and he is with Showtime so the Americans will likely just pass on this one. The casual fans anyway.
Klitschko nearly always fights in Germany and a big UK fight will be a career first for him and will build his legacy – win or lose. HBO have a deal whatever. England is where this fight is at!
Peter said;
“This fight is bigger here than it can be in Germany or anywhere else in the world. The UK fans are passionate. This is a big boxing country. I think this is a fight that needs to happen here. Wladimir is out to make statements. A fight over here with Tyson is the perfect opportunity for him.”
And I agree. It’s a fight that we are going to see. The question seems to be – apart from the fact Fury is a similar size- what can he do different to anyone else who stood before Wlad? Or more pertinently – what does he need to do to win?
Peter said;
” Wladimir has had 18- odd defences. He’s a serious man. He’s the best in the world and he’s earned his right. I won’t say he’s over the hill or any of the other things, he’s an exceptional fighter. I know it’s a tall order for Tyson but it’ll be the fight of his life. This will be a big test for Tyson but I’m confident he can come through. He will not come in half-hearted or expecting to lose – it will be totally the opposite.”
“I am convinced – 100% that Tyson can do the job – and that’s not to take anything away from Wladimir – but when Tyson wins this fight, then he shuts everybody up.”
Wladimir looks like he is answering the Fury challenge – he has no choice anyhow – and we are soon likely to see the biggest heavyweight fight on British or European soil for a very long time. Both Haye and Chisora travelled to fight “The Brethren Of Bros” and both came up short. If Tyson Fury can change that then we have history made in the modern era.
I am of the belief he can, but the ruthless negotiation techniques of the “Brothers Klitschko” make me extremely nervous. They are known for sneaking EVERY single advantage they can but first the fight has to get announced. When it does, I’ll worry about contractual disputes, but do not write off Britain’s Tyson Fury – this big, slick giant gyspy has way more in the tank than a few Elvis Presley songs!
He just needs a chance to prove it…….And soon he will
Many thanks for reading…..I’m on twitter @ Undilutedpoison
