Unified WBA, IBF, & WBO world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has had a tremendous career, which will undoubtedly be spoken about for many years to come due to his 12-year dominance during an era which has been short on top level talent. Although he's witnessed many things throughout his career, today's London press conference will unquestionably be the first and almost certainly the last time he will ever be face to face with Batman, A.K.A. Tyson Fury, the next man that Klitsckho hopes to add to his long list of world title defenses.
Fury, who currently possesses a perfect record and will challenge for his first world title on October 24 in Düsseldorf, has already begun the mind games with his appearance as Batman at today's press conference. Klitschko has always been complimented for his professional demeanour and approach in build ups to fights. He likely needed all of his professional experience to get him through an afternoon which saw him labeled as "an old man", "an army Sargeant", "a school teacher", and "a man with superhero powers at boring people to death." Most fighters in any sport would react after a verbal assault like that, and possibly end up in a physical encounter, or at worst, a slanging match, but Klitschko, as usual, remained calm and dropped a little tongue and cheek comment himself, labeling Fury "a clown" while complimenting him on his ability to make people laugh.
"I have a lot of friends from the circus industry. It's very tough to make people laugh. If I call you a clown it's a compliment," Klitschko smugly remarked while likening Fury to a circus performer. The comment animated Fury even more, much to the delight of Klitschko. "It was the most entertaining press conference in my 25 years of being involved in boxing," the the champion later told Sky Sports HQ. "His insecurity inside is covered with all the statements and a lot of nonsense that was said."
"I was shocked when he said he's going to go after the referee if the referee gives me any advantages. He's going to knock out the referee I guess? I'm listening to this and I cannot believe what the man is saying," Klitschko explained. "I can make him a better person. The way of treatment is going to be the fight. It's already started and it's going to continue. My therapy has already started. He just was at the doctor's office and got his first session...at the end of the day, I will let my fists talk louder than any words at a press conference, and that's going to happen on October 24 in Düsseldorf."
Klitschko did close with a bit of diplomacy. "He's very unpredictable and probably doesn't know himself what kind of plan - A, B, C or D - he's going to have. He fights in both stances comfortably, his size and reach make it difficult, so I'm expecting a very competitive fight," he added while describing Fury as "one of his toughest tests to date" and insisting that he will not take him lightly.
Klitschko is no stranger to mind games and shenanigans leading up to a fight, having dealt with another boastful in Brit in David Haye, who once wore a T-shirt with a severed Klitschko head, as well as Dereck Chisora, who spit water in Wladimir's face before the opening bell of their fight. In both cases, he remained calm throughout, only to emerge victorious. Will we see Fury attempt turn it up a notch in hopes of getting under Klitschko's skin? Time will tell, but regardless of all the antics and gamesmanship, the fact remains that Fury could very well be Klitschko's toughest tests inside the ring.