Wladimir Klitschko not getting involved in Tyson Fury mind games ahead of rematch
Tuesday 13 September 2016 00:17, UK
Wladimir Klitschko says Tyson Fury will not be able to unsettle him ahead of their delayed WBA and WBO heavyweight title rematch.
Fury (25-0-KO18) failed to show for Monday's press conference, blaming heavy traffic and a broken down car for his non-appearance, but Klitschko said there was no chance that would get under his skin.
The British fighter took Klitschko's belts last November, but an ankle injury he suffered earlier in the year means the first bout will be 11 months in the past by the time they meet on October 29 at the Manchester Arena.
But the Ukrainian great (64-4-KO53) says his memory of the run-up to their first meeting is fresh enough to not let Fury's antics get to him.
"It really doesn't matter. If he didn't (turn up), so what? I've had this in the past with (Alexander) Povetkin when we were supposed to fight and also with (David) Haye. It's nothing new," Klitschko said.
"I'm not surprised any more because in the the past there have been so many ridiculous moves from the Fury camp.
"It can go in any direction but I'm highly motivated and it didn't take any air out of me. I know what kind of people we're dealing with. There's nothing that is going to make me less focused or train less. I know this fight is going to happen and I know I'm going to win.
"When the fight was postponed (from July), I was in camp in Austria. In a way it was deja vu because I had it with Haye.
"I do feel better (for the rest). I felt good the entire time, but even if now I'm starting another camp and preparing for Fury, I have a different look, I'm a totally different person. I definitely feel better about it. I had my fun time, my family time, so I'm well-balanced in this way."
Klitschko's defeat last November was his first in 11 years but he said there was never a chance he would bring an end to his glittering career on such a low note.
"There was never a thought about retiring," he said.
"I was suffering with thoughts like 'Wait a second, that must be a dream'. I actually woke up and was like 'This is not for real', because that's not what I get used to.
"It took me two days to shake it off. By Tuesday, I said 'I'm going to execute the option in our contract, for a rematch'. By Wednesday we announced it. The first days, I just needed to understand what happened."
