A press conference was held this past Tuesday at the ESPRIT Arena to formally announce the highly anticipated World Heavyweight Championship between undisputed and long reigning champion Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko and #1 ranked mandatory challenger Tyson Fury set for Saturday, October 24. The event will be televised in the U.S. live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Sporting a record of 64-3-0 (54KO’s) and holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and “Ring Magazine” heavyweight titles, Klitschko will be making his 19th championship defense. He returns to battle following a dominant 12-round decision victory over Bryant Jennings on April 25 in front of a crowd of over 17,000 at Madison Square Garden.
A native of the United Kingdom, Fury brings an unblemished record into battle of 24-0-0 (18KO’s). Most recently he stopped Christian Hammer in the 8th round on February 28 in London, United Kingdom.
“After all these years, all the guys I have fought have been a challenge for me to motivate myself,” said Klitschko. I believe Tyson Fury really means what he says. He is coming to win the fight. “
“I have done my homework, he is very entertaining, he sings, he dances, people either like him or hate him. He’s not coming to be present on the canvas, he’s coming to win the championship.”
Stated Fury, “It’s a pleasure to be here in Dusseldorf, the time has arrived. Wladimir Kltischko is a great champion and has been for 11 years taking on all comers but I believe he has never faced a challenge like me. There’s never been someone like me.”
“I’m a very dangerous fighter, but I have to give credit to the older champion to face a fighter like myself.”
“The world heavyweight championship fight on October 24 is an energizing event for the division as well as the sport,” said Peter Nelson, vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “This is an intriguing, fascinating matchup that should captivate the boxing world. We know both Wladimir and Tyson will be ready. We are delighted to present the fight live on HBO in the United States.”
With the win over Jennings, Klitschko continued his path towards heavyweight division history with his 18 consecutive title defenses behind only Larry Holmes (20) and Joe Louis (25, the record for any weight class). A crowd in excess of 65,000 is expected at the ESPRIT Arena where Klitschko has fought twice previously.
The title defense will also be Klitschko’s 28th world title fight, a new record in the heavyweight division, surpassing Joe Louis (27), Larry Holmes (26) and Muhammad Ali (25)!
Known as much for his brash words as his firepower in the ring, the 6’9” towering Fury has been the talk of the United Kingdom’s heavyweight division since bursting onto the scene in 2008. The 26 year-old has proven his mettle with two dominant victories over former world title challenger and rival countryman Dereck Chisora in 2011 and 2014.
