Kiltschko vs Fury preview

Kiltschko vs Fury preview

Background

 

On 24th October, in Dusseldorf, Germany, two of Boxing's most different personalities will meet in a fight that has been anticipated by press, fans and colleagues alike. It will be the cool, calm Wladimir Kiltschko against the over-the-top, annoyingly powerful Tyson Fury for the WBA, WBO & IBF heavyweight championship (all owned by Kiltschko). This fight will be a record-breaking heavyweight bout for Kiltschko and could be the one defines his title reign as he comes up against an opponent who is cocky, confident and wants to become the 'new blood' of the heavyweight division. The fight will also be Kiltschko's 19th defence in his second reign as World champion and the fact that he hasn't lost in eleven years gives a Fury some serious odds to overcome.

 

Speaking at the press conference on 21st July, Fury made a passionate attack on Kiltschko's character: "You go on - you're a sports psychologist, you speak thirty-seven different languages, so what? You're still a robotic person. You're still not exciting and fun to watch. I am the new blood in the division, you are an old man." He then went on to compare the heavyweight champion to his underpants: "You have about as much charisma as my underpants - zero. I am interested in breaking your face in."

 

I have to say that Fury is a brave man for saying this to a man with the power as threating as Kiltschko but it is obvious that Fury is doing this for media attention and to increase suspense and tension between the two going into the late fight hype. Kiltschko's job isn't to be all singing and dancing for the sport, and also he is one of the more serious boxers in the division, what he may lack in some areas of character he certainly makes up for in the ring.

 

Early in the press conference, Fury said: "I'm interested in all them belts you've got on there. I want to rid you out of the heavyweight division." He continued: "Your jab-and-grab style- surely all of Europe wants to see you get beaten and the world will see you get beaten." Fury can certainly talk the talk but I find it very interesting how he didn't answer any questions about how he is going to beat Kiltschko, weather he is going to outbox him or out-power him.

 

Going into this fight, I think that Kiltschko has the upper hand as he has a style that demonstrates his position as the top boxer in the heavyweight division. Fury will need to be 100% focused if he wants to be the man who ends Kiltschko's 11 year undefeated streak.

Tale of the tape

Kiltschko

Height: Six foot six

Weight: 110kg (242 Pounds)

Record: 67 fights, 64 wins, 0 draws and 3 losses

Fury

Height: Six foot nine

Weight: 119kg (262 Pounds)

Record: 24 fights, 24 wins

Prediction

My prediction is that Kiltschko will win by Knockout in the 5th Round. Many may predict a later round for a Kiltschko KO victory but I think that Kiltschko will pull out a world-class performance against an unbeaten opponent who I think will provide some difficulty to Kiltschko but will ultimately be defeated by a much better, as well as a much better disciplined, opponent who will be remembered as one of the heavyweights greats when he decides to hang up his boots.

 

Kiltschko (right) and Fury (left) will face off in Dusseldorf for Kiltschko's WBA, WBO & IBF Heavyweight championships.