Thursday 12 November 2015 15:32, UK
Tyson Fury bids to seize Wladimir Klitschko's world heavyweight titles in Dusseldorf on October 24 live on Sky Sports Box Office and here we summarise his previous five bouts.
The unbeaten 27-year-old (24-0-KO18) faces a tall order in dethroning the Ukrainian (64-3-KO53) but is typically full of confidence that he has what it takes to become WBA, WBO and IBF world champion.
With Klitschko showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 39, the 6'9" Fury will have to be at his best. Let's recall his most recent performances...
Result: Won RTD8
Hammer was unbeaten since late 2010 and had beaten the likes of Kevin Johnson when he attempted to derail Fury's march towards a title shot at London's O2 Arena.
The home fighter was switching stance as early as the opening round and having exercised some caution initially, began to add right hands to his naturally longer jab by the third. In the fifth, Hammer was forced to take a knee after a solid right followed rapid-fire jabs.
Fury was gradually shifting up the gears as Hammer began to tire and with the visitor brave but unable to live with Fury's superior reach and movement, he failed to emerge for the ninth round. Then of course, Fury celebrated by singing 'Walking in Memphis (London)' in the ring.
Result: Won RTD10
The pair had first met in 2011 when Fury won a unanimous decision to get his hands on the British and Commonwealth titles. There had been bad blood in the build-up to that and there was more ahead of the rematch - Fury making headlines in a press conference by flipping a table.
The fight itself was a one-sided affair as Fury knuckled down to dictate from the opening bell. By far the taller man, Fury showed great discipline by sticking to his jab and refusing to allow the Londoner onto the inside in the opening rounds.
The crowd didn't get the knockout they wanted and some voiced their dissatisfaction but Fury was methodical in moving closer to the Klitschko shot as Chisora retired at the end of the 10th with his right eye badly swollen.
Result: Won TKO4
Former NFL star Abell had put world title challenger Kubrat Pulev down before going on to suffer a fourth-round stoppage, but everyone expected a quick night's work for Fury with the American seemingly out of his depth. Fury was certainly of that opinion as he inspected Abell with disapproval on entering the ring.
After the cancellations of the bouts with David Haye, this was the most Fury has weighed in a professional boxing ring (274 lbs) and he began sluggishly with Abell hitting the target with an eye-catching left early in the second. Fury re-established the jab quickly but an awkward night seemed in prospect.
There was slight controversy when Fury appeared to land a blow on the break early in the third but there was no doubt when a right hand felled the underdog moments later. Abell came back with a right of his own but after two more knockdowns, failed to get up from a fourth in the fourth.
Result: Won KO7
This was Fury's first and only appearance in the United States - at the boxing stronghold of Madison Square Garden. The Mancunian was outspoken in the build-up to the fight and was the subject of plenty of media intrigue as he bad-mouthed his experienced opponent.
It was no less interesting inside the ring, as Fury looked in trouble in the second when felled by a wild overhand right. Showing plenty of nous, Fury took seven or eight seconds before choosing to rise to his feet and then set about working his way back in to the fight.
By the seventh, his superior size and strength was telling and he landed a shuddering uppercut before a right hook ended the fight with Cunningham in a mess on the ropes. With victory, Fury became Klitschko's mandatory challenger for the first time. He then treated to the crowd to a rendition of 'Keep It Between The Lines.'
Result: Won UD12
Up until his emphatic second round defeat to Anthony Joshua earlier this year, former world title challenger Johnson had never been stopped. In a WBC heavyweight title eliminator, the American travelled to Belfast to try to halt Fury's rise through the ranks.
At a lean 248 lbs, Fury was at his best as he repeatedly outsmarted Johnson with movement and sharp punching. While he remained cautious in looking to apply the killer blows, the bout showcased Fury's technical skills with high work-rate and impressive hand speed both key aspects.
One of his more focused and 'serious' performances, the clash didn't pass without some trademark Fury entertainment. After one particularly flashy combination he raised his hands mid-round. The scorecards eventually read 119-110 119-108 119-108.
