By Scott Gilfoid: IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s) is kicking around the idea of defending his straps against unbeaten heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s) in 2013, if Fury is willing to step up and take the challenge, which I highly doubt.
Wladimir said “I think he’ll [Fury] give a lot of guys in the top 10 a lot of problems. From fight to fight, he’s just going to get a lot better. I think we could end up fighting very soon, maybe next year. I doubt it will happen this year. Probably for next year.”
I don’t think so. Although Fury likes to namedrop Wladimir by mentioning wanting to fight him from time to time, he always reverts back to him feeling he’s not ready yet. I see this as a pattern that will likely continue until Wladimir is in his 40s and looking shot. If Fury fights him before that, he’ll get knocked cold.
Fury has been facing old guys lately for some reason. He did a good job beating an out of shape Dereck Chisora last year, but his career has gone backwards with fights against 41-year-old Martin Rogan and 38-year-old Vinny Maddalone, who he stopped in the 5th round last Saturday night in a slap-filled performance. I can only imagine the age of Fury’s next opponent. My guess is someone in their 40s that’s way over the hill.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Wladimir fight Fury, because it would be interesting to see how many right hands Fury could take before he keeled over for the 10 count, but it won’t be a competitive fight. It would be Fury’s slapping punches against Wladimir’s powerful right hand and left hook. That’s a fight Wladimir could win with his jab alone if he was in the mood to actually throw it.
Fury is better off sticking with the Martin Rogans and Vinny Maddalones because he’d get knocked out by Wladimir.
I do think Fury needs to get a title shot soon while Wladimir and his brother are still fighting. Once they’re gone, Fury won’t get a lot of money facing one of the obscure heavyweights for a vacant title. At least if he fights Wladimir, Fury will get a good payday while losing. If he waits until Wladimir retires, Fury won’t get the same kind of money and he”ll still likely get knocked out anyway.
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