The world’s premier heavyweight returns to HBO for his second fight of the year in a fascinating Thanksgiving weekend matchup when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. TYSON FURY is seen SATURDAY, NOV. 28 at 4:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino. The same day replay will air at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT) and the prime time encore play will be paired with the exclusive replay of the middleweight super fight from Nov. 21 that featured Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez as well as the thrilling super featherweight title fight between Takashi Muira and Francisco Vargas.
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 29 (9:00 a.m.) and 30 (11:15 p.m.)
HBO2 playdate: Nov. 29 (4:30 p.m.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH_iPo_NSew
Boasting a collection of title belts, Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 54 KOs) from Kiev, Ukraine, and now residing in Miami, takes on Tyson Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) of Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK in a world championship title fight that has the boxing world buzzing. Long dominant in the heavyweight division, three-time champ Klitschko won his first title belt in 2001. He has a sterling championship bout record of 25-2 and is on a 22-fight victory streak since his loss to Lamon Brewster in 2004. At one point, he and his now-retired brother, Vitali, held every major heavyweight championship belt between them.
The upcoming fight is the 39-year-old Klitschko’s 19th consecutive world heavyweight title defense and 21st HBO bout; he first appeared on the network in 2000, when he handled Monte Barrett with a seventh-round TKO.
Standing 6’9,” Tyson Fury is known as much for nonstop chatter as firepower in the ring. The 26-year-old hopes to spring the biggest divisional upset in a decade.
Following the afternoon telecast from the 50,000-seat venue in Dusseldorf, HBO Sports will replay the bout in prime time at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT) followed by two tremendous fights from the Nov. 21 pay-per-view card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. HBO subscribers will be treated to the replay of the super featherweight title fight between Takashi Muira and Francisco Vargas and the middleweight collision between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. Vargas’ incredible 9th round comeback victory generated adjectives from the boxing media that included: “Stunning.” “Brutal.” “Startling.” “Thriller.” The Cotto-Alvarez bout was one of the year’s most intriguing and high profile matchups and Canelo emerged as the decisive winner.
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The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.
IBF- and IBO-Heavyweight Champion as well as WBO- and WBA-Superchampion and “Ring Magazine” Champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles next Saturday on November 24th against mandatory challenger Tyson Fury from Manchester/UK. The fight will be taking place at the soccer stadium ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.
At today’s press conference 150 journalists from national and international media outlets witnessed the long awaited kick off to the fight week. Media partners, promoters, coaches and boxers underlined the importance of the championship bout. Unlike on prior occasions this press conference turned out less entertaining, yet intense. It just was not about costumes this time. “It’s about defining the real hero here in Düsseldorf”, Adam Smith, Executive Producer Sky Sports, opened the press conference.
After media Partners Sky Sports and RTL introduced the journalists to the history of British Boxers facing Wladimir and the Showacts of the upcoming event, Tom Loeffler, managing director K2 Promotions welcomed Team Fury to Dusseldorf. “It is a big event between two famous heavyweights. That’s the best there is in boxing”, he said concerning the fight. Mick Hennessy, Promoter and manager of Tyson Fury, added “It’s great to be here in Dusseldorf. This is a sensational heavyweight showdown. I would like to encourage all British, Irish and Tyson Fury fans to come here. Heavyweight titles are going to change hands on Saturday night.”
The Fury Team showed up very confident and with believe in Tyson Fury’s capabilities. “Is he ready? Yes he is. Is he in the shape of his life? Yes he is. This is the fight of his life” his coach Peter Fury said. Tyson Fury himself seemed a little nervous on the podium. “I landed in Dusseldorf and saw the big posters everywhere. I actually feel like I’m involved in a fight now.” Right after that he switched back to being confident as he appeared on the prior press conferences an in the media over the last months. “Old guy, young guy, old champion, new champion, enough said. It’s one of my easiest fights. That might sound crazy. I see so many chinks in his armor. There is nothing Klitschko does that I’m afraid of.”
Confidence is a virtue that is known from Team Klitschko. The team is looking forward to the fight. Bernd Bönte, Manager of Klitschko and CEO of the Klitschko Management Group made it simple: “right now this is the best fight there is in the heavyweight division.” Coach Johnathon Banks added: “This is what boxing is all about. Two giants getting ready to collide. This is the true art of boxing, one of the best matchups we have seen in a long time. As a fan I would not want to miss this fight.”
After a very good camp in Austria Wladimir seemed very relaxed. He understands the tension of his opponent: “Tyson said he is nervous, that’s a good thing. It means he wants to do it right on Saturday night. He has to be nervous. I’m too.” Furthermore he added: “it will be a great fight. A real world championship including a dicey challenger.” As he was asked for a statement on Emmanuel Stewards prediction that Tyson Fury will be heavyweight world champion one day he said: “He meant it. That’s why this fight is so big”
Tickets are available at www.eventim.co.uk and on 0844 249 1000.
UK TV information: Wladimir Klitschko vs Tyson Fury, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office on November 28, is now available to order via the phone and online.
