Klitschko-Fury Confirmed For 10/24 HBO Live Matinee

By Jake Donovan

The most anticipated heavyweight clash in recent memory—if only for the considerable amount of press (negative or otherwise) the challenger will likely generate—will play to a matinee setting to HBO audiences. 

Wladimir Klitschko will defend his World heavyweight championship versus brash unbeaten contender Tyson Fury on October 24 at ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. The bout will air live on HBO at 5:00 p.m. ET, as well as on RTL in Germany, with whom Klitschko extended his long-standing relationship for his next five fights.

"The world heavyweight championship fight on October 24 is an energizing event for the division as well as the sport," said Peter Nelson, vice president, programming, HBO Sports. "This is an intriguing, fascinating matchup that should captivate the boxing world. We know both Wladimir and Tyson will be ready. We are delighted to present the fight live on HBO in the United States."

The Saturday afternoon viewing for stateside fans is a familiar role for Klitschko fights staged overseas. The defending heavyweight king will have now played the time slot once in each of the past three years, with previous showings coming in wins versus Kubrat Pulev (last November) and Alexander Povetkin (Oct. '13).

Pulev and Povetkin both were unbeaten at the time of their respective failed title bids. In fact, Klitschko's upcoming title defense—the 12th of his World lineal championship, and 19th consecutive defense of at least alphabet title—will mark the sixth time in his past seven fights in which his opponents sports a spotless record. 

Klitschko (64-3, 53KOs) is coming off of a 12-round decision win over previously undefeated Bryant Jennings this past April. The bout marked his first stateside appearance in more than seven years, playing to a packed house of 17,000 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and producing monster ratings for HBO. 

The longtime champ—who has held at least one belt since 2006 and has served as the lineal champion since 2009—also produced big numbers for HBO in his 5th round knockout of Pulev last November. The bout played to more than 620,000 homes on a Saturday afternoon, an exceptional number for the time slot. 

Fury (24-0, 18KOs) will make his HBO debut, also fighting for his first major title. The outspoken Brit earned the opportunity with a 10th round stoppage of Dereck Chisora last November. His most recent ring performance came in February, stopping Christian Hammer in a stay-busy fight.