Wladimir Klitschko has insisted that he wants a ‘definitive finish’ to his world heavyweight title bout against Tyson Fury in Dusseldorf on Saturday night.
The pair clash for the WBA, WBO and IBF titles at the 55,000-capcity Esprit Arena with 39-year-old Klitschko (64-3) an odds-on favourite to successfully defend his crown against undefeated 27-year-old Fury (24-0).
Fury is a Manchester native who previously held the Irish heavyweight title, which he was eligible to fight for thanks to his Antrim and Galway family connections.
The challenger has been provocatively colourful in the build-up to this weekend’s bout, regularly taunting and criticising Klitschko as well as playing a pantomime character when dressing up as Batman at a promotional event for the fight.
Klitschko, undefeated in 22 fights (including 18 title defences) since 2006, has expressed his bemusement at the antics of the challenger but the champion agreed with a suggestion that he would be out for a stoppage win to definitively silence Fury.
"What would be better than a spectacular finish? That is what it is all about. It is always the cherry on the cake, of course," said Klitschko.
"The clear win is the best when you get the stoppage. There is controversy if it is on points sometimes, the wrong judgement, another direction, maybe rematch. I think it is pretty clear," added the Ukrainian, who dismissed the idea that he is ‘invincible’ but claimed his preparation is key and that he can only beat himself.
"It doesn’t matter if you have broken bones or tendons, you just keep on going."
"I just know if I allow it, it [defeat] will happen. If I don't allow it, it won’t happen. I have covered in the preparation all the details, everything. I understand anything can happen in the fight and I have faced injuries before in a fight," said Klitschko.
"But you shut up and keep on punching. It doesn’t matter if you have broken bones or tendons, you just keep on going… There is no if, there is no doubt. If you have any doubt, you don't go in the ring.”
The champion weighed in at 17st 7lbs on Friday afternoon, a pound lighter than the challenger, who holds a reach advantage of four inches.
Fury has been mouthy throughout the build-up, but appeared to be slightly more pensive at yesterday’s weigh-in.
His trainer and uncle, Peter Fury, insisted that the challenger is ready to go, however.
"He knows the magnitude of this fight, he's relaxed, confident in his own ability and that’s it," said the trainer.
"He’s not somebody who’s going to get overcome by the event or anything. He’s a professional and this is world-class boxing. He has to be as cold as ice, totally focused and get on with the job.
"We've done the best we could possibly do, we know what we're up against in Kiltschko - he’s a formidable champion, and we've prepared for everything he's going to bring so we're more than happy to be ice cold, get on with the job, be professional, do what needs to be done and get it done right.”
Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko weigh in https://t.co/X6nXSBCkTG https://t.co/zapnRRzFbm
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 27, 2015
Fury is understandably ranked as the underdog with the bookies as this is his first world-title tilt, while Klitschko has boxed some 178 rounds as a title holder since 2006, last tasting defeat to American Lamont Brewster in 2004.
That loss was one of three stoppage defeats for the Ukranian, who rebuilt his career under the guidance of late trainer Emanuel ‘Manny’ Steward and currently works with Steward’s Kronk Gym alumni Jonathan Banks.
Steward moulded Klitschko’s tight defence, but the champion has regularly suffered criticism for a lack of excitement in his methodical boxing style.
Fury has questionably claimed that the champion ‘does not understand heavyweight boxing’, provoking the ire of Klitschko.
"Tyson Fury is bipolar because he said that Manny Steward was overrated but then [on Wednesday] he mentioned that he was the greatest," said Klitschko. "He is changing his mind on many comments.
"He is going through a time that he is very insecure. To rely on his experience of 24 fights, and his competition in the ring he is undefeated and he thinks he is the king of the world. I don’t blame him because that is where he is at. He is judging other people without his experience… It is immaturity," added the champion.
Fury responded to Klitschko’s assessment by saying: “I don’t really care [what he thinks] to be honest, as long as I win the fight on Saturday I’m not really interested. If he’s got the same mentality as me, you could call me from pig to a dog and it wouldn’t even bother me.
“Without laying hands on me, it’s all sticks and stones, but has he got that mentality like I have? Has he got that stone-cold mentality where nothing penetrates at all? I don’t think so. He can put on the brave face as much as he wants, I know he’s rattled.”
The challenger also launched into a three-and-a-half minute rant where he claimed that he should not lose to an opponent 12 years his senior.
“Sorry to be so real, but let’s not dress this up,” said Fury. “He is mutton dressed as lamb. He’s a 40-year-old woman full of make-up from half a mile away. [Klitschko is 39]
“He looks like a supermodel, but when you get to her and poke her a few times, she’s all soft and saggy with make-up on, she looks like a right dog. That’s what Wlad is,” added the vocal challenger.
Meanwhile, Meath-based Finglas native Jono Carroll (8-0) fights on the undercard of the big fight bill, with the undefeated super-featherweight taking on Miguel Gonzalez (13-3) of Honduras.
"I don’t fold under pressure, pressure doesn’t really get to me," said Carroll of the opportunity. "Even with this one, people are saying it’s a 55,000-seater stadium, a football stadium, it’s madness. It’s just another day in the office. I embrace the fight, I want the fight, it’s exciting."
