Wladimir Klitschko Compares Tyson Fury to Adolf Hitler Ahead of July Rematch

Heavyweight boxing icon Wladimir Klitschko has compared Tyson Fury's views to those of Adolf Hitler ahead of their rematch on July 9. 

As reported by the Daily Telegraph, Fury apologised last month for controversial comments he made in a YouTube interview about Judaism, women and bestiality. Per Gareth A. Davies of the Daily Telegraph, Klitschko has since accused the champion of being anti-semitic, homophobic and sexist:

"

I'm fighting a guy who can't hold his mouth on certain things. I was in shock at his statements about women, the gay community and when he got to the Jewish people he sounded like Hitler. The man is an imbecile.

You cannot put it all together as a representation of the sport of boxing. He's an imbecile champion.

It puts the world of boxing in the wrong spot. He represents not just himself, but the sanctioning bodies, a lot of boxing fans in general, it's not just about him and he needs understanding but he obviously doesn't. In this crazy world when we can see all that's going on, we don't need someone having this stage and bringing hate to Jewish people, I can't accept.

"

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The Ukrainian went on to state that he thinks the Briton is “mentally sick” and also called for him to be stripped of the World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Association and The Ring Magazine belts that he is currently in possession of.

In the hour-long interview in May, Fury said “Zionist, Jewish people...own all the banks, all the papers, all the TV stations,” per the Daily Telegraph.

It’s not the first time the fighter’s views have landed him in hot water; per BBC Sport, there were calls for him to be omitted from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist after a series of homophobic comments.

Fury scored a shock win over longstanding champion Klitschko in Germany last November, becoming the first man to beat the Ukrainian in a decade. The duo will face each other for a second time in Manchester next month.

“It's not just British fans I'll be doing a favour when I beat him, it'll be for Klitschko fans and boxing fans in general,” said the former champion, per Davies.