Editorials

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury | Preview and Prediction

There’s four titles on the line here, but only one heavyweight can walk away the champ. Will Wladimir Klitschko put on a clinic and blemish Tyson Fury’s undefeated record? Or will Fury, a modern day Goliath, force Klitschko into retirement? Check out Merissa Dyer’s preview and prediction for Klitschko vs. Fury and let us know who you think will win.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury: Preview and Prediction

While some of us looked forward to watching football on Turkey Day, boxing fans’ Thanksgiving treat comes in the form of Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury Saturday on HBO. It’s not often these days that we see heavyweight fights as the headline, but the names Klitschko and Fury are well-recognized by boxing fans stateside and across the pond.

The bout was originally scheduled for mid-October, but Klitschko’s calf injury resulted in the fight being postponed. The anticipated matchup will feature Klitschko, a seasoned veteran that approaches each fight as if he’s in his prime, and Fury, a fearless UK superstar that sees Klitschko as just another contender standing in his way.

There’s four titles on the line here, but only one heavyweight can walk away the champ. Will Klitschko put on a clinic and blemish Fury’s undefeated record? Or will Fury, a modern day Goliath, force Klitschko into retirement? Let’s break down each fighter to predict who will get the win.

Tale of the Tape

Wladimir Klitschko Tyson Fury 2

On paper, the tape puts Wladimir Klitschko at an unusual physical disadvantage. This time around he stands three inches shorter than Tyson Fury and has a much shorter arm reach. Klitschko is known for his jab and will have to work much harder than he normally would to get around Fury’s reach. I would usually say a shorter fighter could work the body, but Klitschko sticks to three main punches: the jab, cross and left hook.

Because Fury has three inches in height and four inches in reach over Klitschko, he can stay on the outside as much as he wants. Klitschko is not an inside fighter, so he’s going to spend his time headhunting. If Fury can move his head he can avoid the majority of Klitschko’s attacks and work combinations of his own.

Klitschko has way more experience than Fury, having had almost 70 career bouts compared to his opponent’s 24. Not to mention, Klitschko has faced serious contenders in the heavyweight division. What makes Fury an interesting challenge is that he’s fearless and physically bigger than Klitschko, which is a difficult feat to have over the veteran boxer.

Main Storylines

Wlad Klitschko Tyson Fury Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Bongarts/Getty Images

Being humble is always nice, but Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury’s confidence (with a touch of narcissism) makes the drama leading up to the fight just a tad more exciting. The fight hasn’t gotten a ton of press in the US, but overseas boxing fans have their eyes on the upcoming bout.

“I am an egotist,” Klitschko told the DailyMail. “But don’t feel bad about that. Ego is at the core of every successful person. It is my motivation.”

Besides being a self-admitted narcissist, Klitschko is also confident in being able to beat Fury. How does he know? He says the only person who can beat Wladimir Klitschko is well, Wladimir Klitschko.

“To lose I would have to defeat myself. I am the only person who can beat me and that can only happen if I am less than 100 percent focused. I know this game well. Fury could only win if I let him and I will not allow that to happen,” said Klitschko.

Fury, not one to let anyone be more dramatic than he, said he would consider retiring if he lost to Klitschko. “If I lose on Saturday, I’m a fraud,” said Fury (via Sky Sports). He continued explaining:

[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]I won’t be the champion I think I am. It would mean I’m no good. Simple. If I can’t beat Wlad, it means I’m no good. And I’ll be the first person to say that…I’d think about retiring, for sure. Because make no mistake, there’s nobody out there other than Wlad that’s any good. I think Wlad could beat the rest of them out there.[/otw_shortcode_quote]

While we can probably call BS on Fury’s threat, it’s quite funny to think of Klitschko sending the young Fury into retirement and not the other way around.

Age ain’t nothing but a number for Fury though. “I’m 27 now and polished. It’s a big fight, a fantastic opportunity and I have worked so hard to get here. He’s getting knocked out for sure.”

Strengths

Wladimir Klitschko Bryant Jennings Marilyn Paulino RBRBoxing (8) Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing

Wladimir Klitschko

One of Wladimir Klitschko’s strengths is the simplicity in his fighting style. He mainly sticks to just using the jab, cross and lead hook. While this doesn’t necessarily make for an exciting style, the simplicity in Klitschko’s approach makes him one of the most fundamentally-sound fighters in boxing history.

Considering a fighter could win an entire round off a jab, it’s quite impressive that he could have so many victories and knockouts by sticking to three basic punches. What makes him dangerous is his seek-and-destroy approach to hunting his opponents.

Klitschko is also a decent boxer though he has the relentlessness of a pressure fighter. His footwork is simple; he doesn’t do anything over the top or overly complicated for his stature. He moves just enough to not be in one place for too long, and to accomplish the ultimate goal of breaking down his opponent.

 

Tyson Fury - Scott Heavey-Getty Images Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury may not look it from the size of him, but he is the younger, less experienced fighter. Fury actually has quite a few strengths that give him a decent chance in this fight. He also has a decent jab that can serve him well if he uses it often.

Stylistically Fury is more diverse than Wladimir Klitschko. He isn’t afraid to put his punches together and works the body. This is a great asset if Fury wants to pressure Klitschko at any point in the fight.

It will also make Klitschko think twice should he decide to put the pressure on Fury first. Fury can also box, though he tends to circle more than come straight forward in his approach.

Weaknesses

Wladimir Klitschko - Joern Pollex-Bongarts-Getty Images6 Photo by Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images

Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko’s age is a main concern I have for him in this fight. At 39 he’s in tremendous shape but I wonder how punches will take a toll on him throughout the fight. Tyson Fury isn’t afraid to throw more than one punch at a time, especially to the body. If Fury can land those combinations, he’ll get to test Klitschko’s conditioning and see if he still has “it”.

Also, Klitschko is not the most defensive fighter. He can get away with having his hands down because more often than not he’s the bigger guy in both height and stature. However, Fury has the physical advantages Klitschko normally would. In order not to get caught, Klitschko will need to think about keeping his hands up when in punching range with Fury.

I mentioned earlier that one of Klitschko’s strengths is the simplicity in his fighting style. A lack of simplicity can also be a disadvantage if Fury can figure out how to take away those three punches. A lack of diversity in punches thrown gives Fury less to think about, especially if those punches only go to the head.

 

Tyson Fury - Steve Cunningham Mary Altaffer AP Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP

Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury’s defense is also shoddy. He tends keep his hands low and in a pseudo-philly shell, which can be dangerous against a sharp shooter like Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko may be simple but he’s also accurate. Fury can easily be dropped if he doesn’t remember to bring his hands up after and in between throwing combinations.

Though Fury is the bigger fighter he doesn’t tend to come forward as much as you’d think. Fury actually has a tendency to circle the ring and pick and choose when he wants to come forward with combinations. This most likely means that Klitschko will be the one putting on the pressure.

Winner and Why

Wladimir Klitschko - Joern Pollex-Bongarts-Getty Images14 Photo by Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images

Tyson Fury is going to make this fight exciting. He’s an active fighter in the ring and has an element of showmanship that makes him entertaining to watch. I also see Fury making the fight competitive by throwing combinations with more punches than Wladimir Klitschko, and working the body.

I think Klitschko has been in this game for a long time and is technically-sound enough to pull off a win over Fury. Klitschko is one of the most simple fighters–maybe ever–but he must be doing something right to have 64 career wins, only three losses, and 53 knockouts.

With Klitschko vs. Fury, expect to see a lot of boxing with enough action to keep to you guessing. Considering Klitschko’s experience, I expect him to pull off a win by unanimous decision.

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