By Edward Chaykovsky
Heavyweight contender Tyson Fury has threatened to quit the sport if he's unable to win by knockout on October 24th, when he challenges WBA/IBO/IBF/WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Fury (24-0, 18KO) says there is no way that he shouldn't be able to score a knockout over a near 40-year-old Klitschko (64-3, 53KOs), who despite his age is heavily favored to beat the challenger in style.
The controversial Fury believes Klitschko has ruined the sport of boxing with his fighting style. During the entire pre-fight promotion, Fury has threatened to retire if he's unable to walk away with the win.
Fury has beaten and knocked out lesser opponents, but he's also been hurt and even knocked down by some of his victims and that's why the always dangerous Klitschko is being backed by the majority of experts to win.
Fury told Sky Sports News HQ: "If I can't knock him out then I must be useless. If I can't beat a 40-year-old man, I need banning from boxing. If I can't, then I won't be boxing on because I won't be able to achieve and get my goals.
"He's been a great champion but [has] not fought anyone of note. That's where I come in to it. Every 10, 15 or 20 years there's a man who comes along and wipes everyone out. We're in a bad era of heavyweights but I tell you what I'm looking forward to – going in there and writing this fellow off.
"I don't like him, for one. I don't think he's an ambassador and has ruined the heavyweight division. People say he's a great champion, clean-shaved, un-tattooed, great manners, very educated. So what? He's boring and has ruined the division as far as I'm concerned. He's got as much personality as the wall I'm looking at in front of me."