Tyson Fury says Wladimir Klitschko doesn’t want to fight him.
Fury, the brusque British heavyweight contender, says a lot of things. But there is no denying his flamboyance, and his ability to put on exciting fights.
Fury faces a challenge this Saturday in 27-year-old German Christian Hammer at London’s 02 Arena. Hammer (17-3, 10 KOs) has won his last 10 fights, six within the distance. But he’s never come across anyone who has the kind of lethal power as the 26-year-old Fury (23-0, 17 KOs).
Related » Why Andre Ward vs. “GGG” is the Next Mega Fight
What makes this matchup even more intriguing is that Fury has been knocked down twice in his career, once in the second round against Neven Pajkic in Nov. 2011, and the other time, again in the second round, against Steve Cunningham, in April 2013 at Madison Square Garden.
Each time Fury came off the canvas, however, he managed to rally and stop his opponent. He quickly took apart Pajkic in the following round, notching a third-round TKO, and took a little more time against the rugged Cunningham, stopping him in the seventh.
“I guess I like to do things the hard way,” Fury said after the Cunningham fight. “But I need fights like this against quality opponents. It shows what I can do. I give Steve a lot of credit for even getting into the ring with me, because hell knows, a lot of other guys won’t.”
Like Klitschko.
Fury has been stalking Klitschko for years. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, is trying to facilitate the deal.
“Ken Hershman [HBO Sports President] is coming to London for [Saturday’s] fight,” Warren told The Observer. “We haven’t signed off on it but they both want the fight and Tyson will choose the one he wants. I want every advantage, and I want that fight in the UK this summer.
“The truth of the matter is Tyson is the hottest young heavyweight contender out there. You’ve got Showtime and HBO saying that’s the fight they want. They know it’s going to be a cracking fight. It’s a mouth-watering fight, against either of them.
“HBO are forcing Klitschko into a fight [against Fury]; he’s going to have to vacate or fight. And the fight against Wilder is a very exciting one that Showtime want. He will fight one of them. That’s 100 per cent what will happen. We’re more or less there.
“He can’t afford to fall over [against Hammer]. It says a lot about Tyson that he will take those risks. It’s been a pleasure dealing with someone like that. He’s like Dereck Chisora; he’ll fight anyone.
“We’re in good shape to announce it within 48 hours [of the Hammer fight, if Fury wins]. It won’t be like hanging around for it like Mayweather and Pacquiao. It will be the biggest fight in Britain this year. Tyson wants to fight the number one, and let’s get it right, Klitschko’s the No. 1.”
Getting by Hammer may not be that easy.
“I’m grateful for this fantastic opportunity to fight Tyson Fury and I'll be in the best shape of my life,” Hammer said. “This is a golden opportunity for me to get the number one position to fight Klitschko for the world title if I can beat Fury. I love to fight bigger, taller, men and Fury is perfect for me. It will be a hard fight, but I’ve got every confidence that I’ll surprise everyone with a win in his backyard.”
But the boxing world may not find out just how good Fury is until he finally gets into the ring with a top guy who can punch. Is Fury another Gerry Cooney, or someone that can genuinely challenge Klitschko?
We’ll see.
In the meantime, Fury, the WBO mandatory for Klitschko, who has a challenge of his own ahead in undefeated Philadelphian Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden on April 25, doesn’t hesitate when he says he feels Klitschko is afraid of him.
“Klitschko is afraid, he makes excuses each time we come to him,” Fury said. “He’s a lot of talk. He doesn’t back up anything. I do.”
Then again, Tyson Fury says a lot of things.
Joseph Santoliquito is the president of the Boxing Writer's Association of America and a frequent contributor to Sherdog.com's mixed martial arts and boxing coverage. His archive can be found here.