Tyson Fury has a pretty laid back view on whether Deontay Wilder’s destructive punching power will be a factor when they fight.
‘The Gypsy King’ challenges for the WBC title on December 1 against a man who’s knocked out all 39 opponents.
Having dethroned one champion, Fury is the underdog once again to repeat the feat. Fury shocked the world with a unanimous decision win over Klitschko in 2015, limiting the future Hall of Famer to the worst offensive output of his professional career.
Subsequent battles with drugs, mental health and weight gain, along with a failure to face his mandatory challengers, cost Fury his belts. They eventually led to a nearly three-year hiatus from the sport.
Fury was triumphant in his long-awaited return on June 9 against Sefer Seferi, leading to a second comeback fight less than 75 days later against former world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.
Weighing within 11 pounds of his fighting weight when he dethroned Klitschko, Fury displayed prime movement, hand speed and footwork in a shutout decision.
The 30 year-old earned the opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight world champion on December 1.
Speaking on the task at hand and whether he avoid what cruiserweight Steve Cunningham did to him in New York, Fury said: “People talk about me only having two fights since my layoff, but that doesn’t bother me at all.
“This is the Tyson Fury show. It always has been. This is my era, and I proved that when I beat Klitschko in his own backyard.
“Is Wilder the biggest puncher I have faced? You don’t know that until you are on the floor. It is all about not getting hit in this fight.
“Until someone beats me, I am the king of the heavyweight division. Long live the king,” he added.
Fury was born in 1988 and named after then-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. He competed as an amateur for both England and Ireland before turning professional in 2008.
The self-proclaimed ‘Don’ dominated the competition early in his career to earn a world title shot. He out-pointed Klitschko, who had ruled over the heavyweight division for nine consecutive years.
WILDER v FURY
Full card for Staples Center, Los Angeles, USA
INFORMATION
Wilder vs. Fury tests the raw power of Wilder against the unmatched size and mobility of Fury.
America’s only heavyweight champion since 2007, Wilder has 39 knockouts in 40 professional fights. This includes knockouts in all seven of his title defenses.
Fury is a former IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world champion. He is undefeated in 27 professional fights and holds boxing’s coveted lineal heavyweight title.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Enterprises and Queensberry Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are on sale now.
Tickets are priced starting at $75, plus applicable fees, and are available via AXS.com.
