VLADIMIR KLITSCHKO dismissed Tyson Fury’s predictable insults as the two met in Dusseldorf ahead of their heavyweight title bout in October, asking: “Is this it?”


 

Ukranian Klitschko appeared to be more familiar with Fury’s controversial antics than his record as a fighter, admitting he has yet to study his previous bouts – apart from one notorious clip of the unbeaten Briton punching himself in the head early in his career.

Fury slammed down a microphone and knocked over a table before storming out of the press conference in March last year to publicise a fight against Dereck Chisora and has become renowned for the streams of invective aimed at his prospective opponents.

Klitschko has previously had a shoe thrown at him by Shannon Briggs but the champion takes it all in his stride.

“He didn’t throw a microphone somewhere? His shoe? I don’t know. There has been flying shoes and so much entertainment before - I’m sure it’s going to show up,” said Klitschko. 

In Germany, where he will get his first world title shot on October 24 against WBA, IBF and WBO champion Klitschko, Fury accused his opponent, who has not been defeated in 11 years, of being boring.
 

“It’s a personal mission for me to rid boxing of a boring person like you,” said Fury.

“I’m interested in all of them belts you’ve got on there. I’m interested in breaking your face in. You’re boring, I want to rid you out of the heavyweight division.

“Your jab-and-grab style – surely all of Europe wants to see you get beaten and all of Europe and the rest of the world will see you get beaten.”

Fury, 26, from an Irish Traveller background, also took exception to Klitschko’s educated upbringing. Nicknamed ‘Dr Steelhammer’ he has PhD in Sports Science and reportedly speaks Ukranian, Russian, German and English.

“You have about as much charisma as my underpants - zero, none,” said Fury. “You go on – you’re a sports psychologist, you speak 37 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.”


 

Fury’s frustration is forgivable, despite his chosen method for venting it. Klitschko, and his older brother, Vitali, who retired from boxing in December 2013 aged 42, have dominated the heavyweight scene for a long time. Yesterday Wladimir announce that, at 39, he has agreed terms on a five-fight deal with German television, so has no immediate plans to move on.

That suggests, along with his comments, he does not see Fury as a serious threat. 

“I believe Tyson Fury is really meaning what he is talking about and he is definitely not coming here on October 24 just to be present and be on the canvas,”

Klitschko said. “This guy is so entertaining. He sings, he dances, he is a cool dude. He does different things that people like - or hate.

“Some people adore you, some people say they can’t stand you, which is good.”