Klitschko vs Fury: Johnny Nelson finds Wladimir as meticulous as ever
Wednesday 11 November 2015 17:26, UK
Wladimir Klitschko is back at his beautiful training camp, Hotel Stanglwirt in the Austrian Alps, preparing to face Tyson Fury. Johnny Nelson is also there, getting an insight into what goes on...
Well this is very, very different to my days when I was out sparring in the old East Germany, that's for sure. The facilities are one thing, but the scenery is something else completely!
When I was over in Europe to spar, I would do the day's work, then sit there in a bedsit with no TV, no radio or anything like that. The sparring partners here have got it made. They are living like kings, that's for sure. This is a luxury place to stay, not what I was used to.
One thing I will say is Wladimir Klitschko gets it. He knows that if he keeps his sparring partners sweet, happy and comfortable, leave them wanting for nothing, then they are going to perform to their best abilities, every single time.
With regards to preparing for a fight, nothing has changed. Wladimir is meticulous and he knows it works for him
Yes it is comfortable outside of the ring but they still have to go to bed at a set time. There's also the fact there's nothing else to do here, so all they can do is train and spar.
In my day, you were treated like a pauper. It was so bad at times, it used to drag me down.
Here, everything is perfect. There are six or seven sparring partners, 6ft 6-plus, 20-stone plus, all shapes and sizes, southpaws, orthodox, switch-hitters... these guys are huge units.
You've got to give it to Wladimir. He is 40 next year and here he is, still putting his body through it. And you know what? Nothing has changed at all.
The last time I was here, the late, great Emanuel Steward was here, this month's opponent Tyson Fury was here, and with regards to preparing for a fight, it's the same old story.
Wladimir is meticulous and knows what works for him. That's why you have to respect him.
Richard Towers is here and he's been here before, because of his size, because he is unorthodox and that's what many of the Ingle fighters are like. I think that suits Wladimir down to the ground.
There is another switch-hitter, a big cruiserweight, but all the sparring stays behind closed doors, simply because you never look good against them.
He'll spar with the big guys, see them off and then look good when the cameras are on and that is Wladimir. He leaves nothing to chance.
It is a great experience for Richard and the others sparring, but it is great to have an insight as well. How hard is it for these guys out here in these luxurious surroundings? Three rounds is enough. Maybe four at a push.
Wladimir's jab is concussive. It drains the energy away from you and when these guys are saying that - they have made that quite clear - you'd do well to listen.
Dillian Whyte has been coming here for six years, back and forth, and he gave me a great insight, too, as he prepares for the Anthony Joshua fight. He loves it. And he's learning from the best.
It's business as usual for Klitschko.
You can watch Klitschko vs Fury live on Sky Sports Box Office, on Saturday, November 28.
