Tyson Fury (26) is from Wilmslow, greater Manchester, United Kingdom, and the official WBA mandatory challenger. The 6’9’’ heavyweight star is unbeaten and has won 24 fights as a professional, 18 of which have ended inside sched- ule. Fury is the former Irish Champion, British Champion, Commonwealth Champion and European Champion.
Tyson Fury: “I always knew I’d one day fight for and win the heavyweight championship of the world – it was just a matter of time. I had to work my way into a mandatory position to force the issue because no 40-year-old champion is going to volunteer to fight someone as big, skillful and dangerous as me. You have to force them into taking the fight. That is what I have done with Wladimir Klitschko and, on October 24, the world will see why the late, great Emanuel Steward said, ‘Tyson Fury will be the next heavyweight champion of the world.’
“I’m a bigger man than Wladimir in height, weight and natural size. I’m also 13 years younger than him. I’m fresh, I’m hungry, I’m talented and I’m a fighting man. There’s no way I’m losing to a 40-year-old. This is my destiny – to become heavyweight champion of the world – and it’s time for the title to change hands. Wladimir has held on to the belt for many years now – and he’s done a good job of holding on to it – but I’m here to rip it from him.”
For more than nine years Wladimir Klitschko has reigned as the World Heavyweight Champion – the second-longest reign in heavyweight history, behind only legendary Joe Louis – and has a fight record of 64 wins (54 KOs) and three defeats. Five of Klitschko’s last six opponents were, like Fury, undefeated.
Wladimir Klitschko: “So many fans are waiting for this fight. Tyson Fury’s record speaks for itself. He is unbeaten, very self-confident and difficult to fight. But I love challenges and I love testing myself. This fight keeps me interested and it’ll be one of the most difficult for sure. It is great to be back at the football stadium in Düsseldorf. The atmosphere has been awesome and simply gigantic each time.”
The fight on October 24 marks Klitschko’s third fight at ESPRIT arena and his seventh World Championship fight at a football stadium.
Bernd Bönte, CEO Klitschko Management Group: “This is the kind of fight that boxing fans dream of. Today we’re seeing monumental fights in the heavy- weight division. Wladimir has stopped all comers and Tyson Fury is a truly worthy challenger. In all honesty, this megafight does not need any special promotion. Two dangerous punchers in one fight, at eye level – you couldn’t ask for more. I am very happy to be back in the ESPRIT arena. RTL will put on a big show as usual and the atmosphere in the sold-out ESPRIT arena is just incredible.”
Mick Hennessy, Tyson Fury’s promoter: “From the moment I turned Tyson professional, I believed this was his destiny; not only to win the heavyweight championship of the world, but to beat the very best in the process. I’m certain Tyson Fury will go down as a legend in the heavyweight division. Nobody has seen the best of him yet, but they will on October 24 in Dusseldorf. He wont just win the fight, he will win it in style.”
Tickets for this boxing event at ESPRIT arena go on sale on Tuesday, July 21 at 1 p.m (German time). and can be purchased from Eventim. Click here to book
