By Terence Dooley

Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53 early) and Tyson Fury (24-0 18 KOs) went face-to-face in London earlier today to publicise their October 24 clash, which takes place at the ESPIRIT Arena in Dusseldorf and will be shown live on Sky Sports here in the U.K.

As previously reported, Fury dressed up as Batman and tussled with someone who was dressed as the Joker, prompting a wry smile from the champion, who must have thought he had seen it all over the course of his long career.

“I’ve never had such an entertaining press conference,” he said when Batman finally left the room.

Rod Stewart is performing before the fight.  Mick Hennessy, Fury’s long-time promoter, also claimed that the 27-year-old could belt out a number should he win.

“We might even have a singsong after Tyson wins the world title,” he said.

Fury returned and did an impromptu Q and A with the assembled media, calling one journalist Russell Crowe and then refusing to answer his question.  However, there were some questions that he was happy to field.

“As confident as waking up in the morning and putting my shoes on,” he said when asked if he is confident of victory.

“You may have fought plenty of peasants in your time, but you’ve never fought a Gypsy King before—you’re (Klitschko) getting knocked out.  I wish it was this weekend.  I’m the man on these shores—not Joshua, not Dereck Chisora, me.”

He added: “I don’t know what you are, a school teacher or a surgeon, but you're not a fighting man.  Welcome to my city, welcome to my town, the U.K., baby.

“I dressed as a Superhero because this man has Superhero powers in boring people to death.”

“Make yourself comfortable, my speech will be long,” stated Klitschko.  “It is hard to make people laugh, to act funny doesn’t mean to act stupid.”

The inference that the long-time champion saw him as a bit of a clown infuriated Fury, who took off his jacket and launched a few verbal barbs at Klitschko, who remained icy cool throughout.

“I have a lot of friends from the circus industry,” Klitschko had stated.  “It's very tough to make people laugh.  If I call you a clown it's a compliment.”

“I waited for David Haye to come to the ring, I waited for Tyson Fury to come to the press conference—I have patience,” he added before telling Fury that Haye, a former cruiserweight, would have knocked him out had they met.

“Don’t fall asleep please, I switched from training three to four session a day,” revealed Klitschko, playing up to the perception that he is dull.  “I feel good, not great yet.  I’m doing the most tough preparation I’ve ever had.

“You need a therapist, I will save you,” he said, addressing Fury directly.  “This is my diagnosis.  This bipolarity will be treated and you’ll become a great person, I have faith in you.

“My speech might not be as entertaining as Tyson Fury’s, but thank you for taking the time to listen to me.”

Fury revealed that Klitschko sent through heavily padded Parrafin brand gloves, accusing the champion of running scared because he has opted against Grants, his usual choice.  Klitschko, though, had pointed out that everything was outlined in the contract, right down to the smallest details.

“You wrote it, I signed it,” was Fury’s retort.

After an intense face off, Fury accuse Wlad of looking away only for the 39-year-old to point out that he was looking at the cameras.

Klitschko’s insistence that the promoters pose for a photo led to a stinging rebuke from the challenger when shooting down the suggestion that Eddie Hearn, who is promoting the U.K. leg of the Sky show, should be in the shot.

“Excuse me, how’s Eddie the promoter?” he said.  “Mick get yourself over here, mate.  Dad, Peter [his trainer] get over here—Wlad, look happy for the cameras.”

With the presser done and dusted, Fury caught up with Sky Sports News to give his take on his opponent.  “He can try and do what he wants, but he is what he is—a boring man,” argued Fury.  “I listened to his speech there for 10 minutes and it was boring.”

“I just want to beat the man who's the ‘the man’ at the moment.  Wladimir is ‘the man’ and I'm glad I've got my chance.  My chance is here now and I'm not going to let it slip—it's my time to shine.

“It will mean a lot when I'm standing with my hand in the air—there's no ifs, it will happen.  I'll be the heavyweight champion of the world—what more can I do?  Apart from defend it a load of times.”

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