John Fury: Tyson Knocks Wladimir Klitschko Out By Round 10

By Chris Williamson

London—After taking in his cousin Hughie’s seventh-round Technical Decision win over Fred Kassi at the Copper Box Arena last night, heavyweight world Champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) caught up with BoxingScene to deliver his take on the much-talked about rematch with former holder Wladimir Klitschko, who he meets at the Manchester Arena on July 9 live and exclusive on BoxNation here in the U.K.

His father, John, and long-time promoter Mick Hennessy joined Fury, with all three predicting another win over the Germany-based Ukrainian.  They have a point as, historically, the victor usually repeats the win, often more convincingly.

In modern times, though, Evander Holyfield bucked the trend in a rematch with Riddick Bowe, in a show also billed as "Repeat or Revenge".  On that occasion, the champion was widely seen as too heavy and complacent second time around, perhaps a warning sign for the historically astute Fury.

“Not at all,” Tyson told BoxingScene.  “Listen, I'm not interested in the history when it comes to this fight.  It is one fight and one man, and it's that simple," he added with his business face a hundred percent switched on.

Hennessey underlined the champion’s point, telling me that:  “I strongly fancy Tyson to stop Klitschko this time.  Strongly fancy it.”

“Gypsy” John Fury, dressed in a black leather jacket and generous with his time, shepherded Boxingscene away from the hustle and bustle of the ringside area for more analysis.  Your correspondent was in Dusseldorf to watch his son's coronation, and was impressed by the mental strategy as much as the physical one.

“This is political,” John told me.  “We know the man (Wladimir).  We know how he operates, so it will be easier this time.”

Last time out, the Furys faced down the vast red sea of Klitschko’s entourage prior to the first bell.  There was also a pre-fight row over excessive ring padding; not to mention the small matter of the champion putting his gloves and wrappings on unsupervised, which is a big no-no in boxing.

Fury, though, let his father and uncle, Peter, concentrate on the mind games so he could focus on what he had to do.  John told me that, once again, nothing will faze them.

“We're fighting people,” he stressed.  “I was and Tyson is.  He'll do it easier this time.  I don't know if you're a betting man, but if you are bet on Tyson to knock him out by round ten.”