Wladimir Klitschko vs Tyson Fury: TV Schedule, Start Time, Odds and Prediction
Wladimir Klitschko hasn't lost a fight in 11 years. He's been the undisputed world heavyweight champion since July 2011 when he took the WBA strap from David Haye in a decision victory.
His reign at the top of boxing's top division has felt inevitable for quite some time, but it could all come crashing down on Saturday when the brash, bold and bizarre Tyson Fury takes him on in a scheduled 12-round bout at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.
It's one of boxing's most anticipated fights of the year. Fury is an absolute mountain of a man. The undefeated Irish Traveller has won by stoppage in eight of his last nine fights. Klitschko last defended his four titles in April, cruising to a straightforward unanimous-decision win over Bryant Jennings.
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The 39-year-old has been at the peak of his division for quite some time, with few challengers seeming remotely capable of besting him in the ring. Fury just might be the guy to topple him at his advanced age.
This is a big, bad brawl that fight fans won't want to miss. Here a look at the odds and viewing info for the bout.
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury Schedule
Date: Saturday, November 28
Time: 4:45 p.m. ET
Location: Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany
TV: HBO, Sky Sports (UK)
Odds: Fury 333-10, Klitschko 20-91
Note: Odds are courtesy of Odds Shark and updated as of Friday, November 27 at 7 a.m. ET.
Preview, Prediction
| 64-3, 53 KOs | Record | 24-0, 18 KOs |
| 79% | KO Percentage | 75% |
| 39 | Age | 27 |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| 6'6" | Height | 6'9" |
| 81" | Reach | 85" |
Klitschko is favored in this bout, as an undisputed champion should be. The Ukrainian has lethal power and a brilliant jab. Fury has a longer reach by four inches, making it crucial that Klitschko keeps him at bay with accuracy and timing from his lead hand.
Fury is a brawler who can rip into his opponents and go for the kill once he senses an opening. Klitschko prefers to drain his opponents, calmly chipping away at their defenses or popping them with the jab as challengers furiously swing themselves out of contention.
With Klitschko the picture of consistency at his advanced age, Fury's best shot appears to be to knock the champion off his normal game plan. The 27-year-old has done his best to win the pre-fight war of psychology, from dressing up as Batman and punching out the Joker, per Sky Sports Boxing, to making light of his opponent's age, per the Telegraph:
"You've got grey hair like my trainer and like my manager," Fury quipped. "This is a young man versus an old man. You look old, you've got wrinkles in your face."
These antics have done nothing to rattle Klitschko, who claims that a defeat will only come from his own faults, not the work of any other fighter, per the Daily Mail's Jeff Powell: "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."
Considering he's pushing 40, Klitschko could be right in that his body might betray him and cause him to lose. Former heavyweight great Lennox Lewis opined that the ceaseless march of time might be his biggest opponent coming into a fight against a guy 12 years his junior, via UCNLive.com's Marty Mulcahey:
"'He will reach the point where he can no longer punish himself in training like a 20 or 30-year-old. You reach the stage when you can’t just jump out bed and flog yourself. Also the risk of injury increases. The biological clock is ticking and it happens to be the toughest rival.'
Lewis leaned toward picking Klitschko in the showdown between experience and youth, 'He must have patience. At some point, the moment will arise where you can use the right.'
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Fury's odd behavior and ridiculous, controversial comments might only spur on Klitschko, who is positively stoic by comparison. Fury has a suspect chin, so Klitschko might try to force the issue early on and see if he can fell his tree-like challenger. If he opens up the bout, Fury can then try to pull him into a knock-down, drag-out fight.
It's worth a shot for Klitschko to try to rattle his most talented challenger in years early on, though his trademark calm and composure will be key to seeing this one out.
Look for Fury to come out swinging, but take a few lumps early on, then surge again in the later rounds. When that happens, Klitschko will keep his title by picking his spots, pounding the jab and winning on points in a close decision.
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