HBO Fight Preview

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury

While the heavyweight division is still far removed from its glory days there does seem to be a resurgence on the horizon.  While Deontay Wilder has been a part of that resurgence in the U.S. it is still Wladimir Klitschko who reigns at the top of the division.  If you want to be the man you first have to beat the man and that man is still Klitschko.  This Saturday from Germany Klitschko will defend his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles against Tyson Fury.  This will be Klitschko's toughest test since 2013 when he faced off against Alexander Povetkin but Fury has the size to match up with Klitschko that Povetkin didn't.

Klitschko uses his jab extremely well

Klitschko isn't the prettiest fighter to watch, far from it, but he is highly effective.  "Dr. Steelhammer" as he is known in the ring has one of the best jabs in the sport and he uses his 6-foot 6-inch from very intelligently out of the orthodox stance.  What Klitschko likes to do is jab his opponent then initiate a clinch then lean his body weight on his opponents shoulders and neck.  While that works wonders on smaller men it won't work on Fury.  The jab from Klitschko is like a power punch and his straight right hand is also considered heavy artillery.  However, his short left hook which he turns over quickly may be his best weapon when it comes to scoring knockouts.  Defensively Klitschko is vulnerable and if you catch him on the chin you can drop him but he does such a good job of keeping opponents at the end of his punches and clinching on the inside that not many opponents get the opportunity to ever test that chin.

The last time Klitschko tasted defeat was in 2004 and since that loss he has manhandled most of his opponents.  He has handled every recent test very well including decision wins over Povetkin and Bryant Jennings but most of his recent opponents have entered the ring as the smaller man.  On Saturday it will be Klitschko who is the smaller man, a position he has almost never found himself in.  Despite heavy criticism for his fighting style Klitschko has put together a record of 64-3 with a powerful 53 knockouts.  "Dr. Steelhammer" has been so good for so long that he is actually tied with Joe Louis for heavyweight title fights at 27 and only trails Louis when it comes to the longest title reign in heavyweight history with Louis reigning for 11 years, eight months, and eight days with Klitschko coming into Saturday's fight at 9 years, six months, and three days.  But at 39 years old some people think Klitschko has declined enough for Fury to take his straps.

Fury has never faced an opponent like Klitschko

Fury is a massive fighter at 6-foot 9-inches and he fights out of the orthodox stance.  Usually Fury will leave his lead hand low and jab from his hip and while he jab is solid it isn't doesn't have that just got hit in the face with a telephone pole feeling that Klitschko's does.  Fury's best punch is his right hand that he will throw straight or over the top and that right hand is usually the one that ends fights.  However, he also has a strong left hook although it does come in wild at times.  The big problem for Fury is defense.  He will often take clean punches upstairs and he has been dropped by Steve Cunningham, a small cruiserweight masquerading as a heavyweight and Neven Pajkic a fighter with 17 wins and only five knockouts to his name.

There is no doubt that this will be the biggest fight of Fury's life.  While he has beaten notable veterans like Cunningham, Kevin Johnson, and Derek Chisora none of those fighters are at the same level that Klitschko is.  As it stands now Fury has a perfect record of 24-0 with a strong 18 knockouts and while he certainly has the size and power to test the chin of Klitschko it remains to be seen if he has the discipline or chin to do it.  One thing is for sure, a win over Klitschko would make Fury a star with the chance to become a superstar because of his brash personality and love of theatrics and trash talking.  He may be a superstar villain but he would probably relish that role.

For the sake of fans, and the heavyweight division hopefully this fight isn't a dud.  It could be though considering Klitschko is the more disciplined fighter and Fury tends to get wild and doesn't have the best chin.  Klitschko is an incredibly intelligent fighter and he could end up jabbing and clinching his way to a victory.  However, Fury 12 years younger than Klitschko and has the size and power to really make Klitschko work.  Look for Klitschko to try to keep Fury on the end of his jab and straight right hand while Fury will be trying to get inside where he has a better chance at landing his power and putting Klitschko on the canvas,

PREDICTION: Wladimir Klitschko isn't used to fighting someone bigger than he is which is why he will have tougher time than usual.  Tyson Fury will have his moments and may even give Klitschko fans a scare but "Dr. Steelhammer" is the better boxer and he will be smart enough to control the distance and come away with the unanimous decision win.