WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING champion Wladimir Klitschko’s next title defence is likely to be a mandatory WBO bout against British and Irish champion Tyson Fury.
“I just got the news that I am obligated to satisfy my mandatories (title defences). The way it looks, Tyson Fury is going to be my next challenger,” Klitschko said after a dominant decision victory over American challenger Bryant Jennings on Saturday.
David Haye once claimed that Wladimir and his brother Vitali were “killing boxing”. The real issue that has plagued heavyweight boxing for years now is their lack of credible opponents. But in Tyson Fury, do we finally have a legitimate test for ‘Dr.Steelhammer’?
Lets take a a closer look at the problems the giant Mancunian could pose for the younger Klitschko brother.
Movement
Fury recently told The Manchester Evening News that “they key to beating Wladimir Klitschko is from a southpaw stance. Corrie Sanders was a southpaw. Tony Thompson gave him problems – both times from a southpaw. Both of those guys were long range fighters, which I am – but they never had my inside game.”
Bryant Jennings had some success Saturday night when he used his movement, worked his way inside and most importantly made sure he wasn’t a sitting target against that famous Klitschko jab.
One of Fury’s greatest strengths is his impressive moment, and that was on display in his last fight against Christian Hammer. The German heavyweight was unable to come to terms with Fury’s circular footwork and straight punches. Each left he throws is followed by an angular step to his left, which keeps Hammer turning. This, combined with Fury’s constant clever stance switches, makes him very unpredictable for his opponents.
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Height
Fury also believes his height could be an advantage. At 6’9″, Fury has both a height and reach advantage over the current champion. He told Ben Grounds of the Daily Mail that he will be a much more difficult proposition than the American Jennings.
“It was the same as it always is though, the smaller man trying to get inside Klitschko’s jab with him holding and leaning, although he was slightly more aggressive against Jennings.Lets see him try that against someone who’s the same size as he is, younger, stronger, fitter, faster and with a knockout punch—me.”
Fury used his height to devastating effect against Hammer. As well as fighting long, Fury fights tall and looks to use his height advantage on the inside. He had repeated success with his uppercut against the German. As he has said himself, his inside game is stronger than most people give him credit for. His height grants him tremendous leverage in close quarters and we all know about the power he possesses.
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Start Fast
The scorecards for Saturday’s fight were predictably one-sided, albeit a little unfair on the challenger. The judges scored the fight 116-11, 116-111 and 118-109 in favour of Klitschko. This is a reoccurring theme. Challengers seem too content to let Klitschko control the opening rounds behind his jab.
Jennings finished the fight strongly but by then it was far too late. There is no point sitting and waiting until the later rounds to get at Wladimir Klitschko. Fury needs to be active from the start. Use his movement, his footwork and don’t let Klitschko dictate the pace.
Last but not least, Fury could be fighting on home soil. Klitschko has indicated that he could be willing to return to England for the first time since 2000 to defend his title.
“Obviously a fight with Tyson Fury is not going to be in the United States,” he said. “I think this fight needs to happen in Europe. I know that he’s the WBA mandatory. It’s something that I have to do.
“Fighting Fury in Germany or in Great Britain, that’s something we have to figure out. It’s something we have to work out.”
With that being said, having the potential to beat Klitschko and beating Klitschko are two very different things. There is a reason he has won 64 of his 67 fights.
But Fury isn’t phased by any of this. “I’m just supremely confident that I’ll be the man to end his reign on the throne and begin the Fury era.”
Do you think Tyson Fury has a chance at ending Wladimir Klitschko’s long reign as champion?