Former longtime unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO Heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko announced on Wednesday his intention to exercise his clause for an immediate rematch against newly crowned undefeated champion Tyson Fury. On November 28th, Fury scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Klitschko in the former world champion’s nineteenth title defense in Dusseldorf, Germany.
In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, Klitschko stated quote “I was really frustrated directly after the fight but after some short nights I now know that I want to show that I am much better than my performance on Saturday. I couldn’t show my full potential at any time. This is what I want to change in the rematch – and I will. Failure is not an option.”
CEO of Klitschko Management Group Bernd Bonte also stated quote “There will be a huge worldwide interest in this fight which already can be billed as the fight of the year in 2016. We received so many questions from fans and journalists after last Saturday. The new champion and his challenger will answer all of them inside the ring.”
This observer discussed the possibility of a potential rematch between Fury and Klitschko on November 29th. It is really no surprise in my eyes that there will be an immediate rematch between the two. As I stated following the fight it is customary for long-reigning champions to be entitled to a rematch. Although there has been no date or venue announced for the second bout between Fury and Klitschko, I feel the major question that will surround the rematch will be whether or not Klitschko will be able to make any tactical adjustments the second time around.
Klitschko, a fighter who is known as not only an offensive-minded fighter, but also one who is extremely accurate with his offense saw his punch output largely nullified against Fury. Although the fight was close round by round, Fury ultimately won a lopsided unanimous decision over Klitschko based largely on his ability to throw and land more than Klitschko in an extremely tactical fight.
It will be interesting to see if the second encounter between the two will be similar to how the first fight was fought. Klitschko, who made eighteen successful title defenses of his world championship over nine years in his second reign as a Heavyweight world champion will be attempting to become part of a select group of fighters to have won a Heavyweight world championship on three separate occasions when the rematch with Fury takes place. For a fighter who has established himself as one of the most dominant Heavyweight champions of all-time, a victory in the rematch will cement his place in Boxing history in what has been a Hall of Fame career.
Even though much of the focus will center on whether Klitschko can regain the championship for the second time, it will be equally as interesting to see how Fury will approach the rematch in what will be his first title defense. Although this observer looks forward to providing more thoughts and analysis once the fight is announced and moves closer to taking place, it is clear that this will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2016.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
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