Wladimir Klitschko lost his world titles to Tyson Fury in 2015, ending nearly a decade of dominance in the heavyweight division.
‘The Gypsy King’ shocked the world when he traveled to Düsseldorf and outpointed the Ukrainian who, at one stage, seemed unbeatable. Klitschko congratulated him on the night, but it’s been clear that he’s never been a fan of Fury and how he operates outside of the ring.
In the aftermath, he said that he doesn’t believe the Brit represents the sport in a good way, and called the way he conducts himself ‘disgraceful.’ As for Fury, he has continued to wind his former opponent up, taking every opportunity to bring up the victory with a few nicknames thrown in.
It appears that the pair still aren’t on each other’s Christmas card list. The Ukrainian has commented on Fury’s latest video message to his countryman and the division’s other current champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Ever a man of few words, the former champion simply responded with a clown emoji.
🤡
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) January 18, 2023
Fury’s call out represents some progress in the negotiations with Usyk to fight for an undisputed champion in the division for the first time since Lennox Lewis. The fact that his biggest night in the sport will be once again against the country of Ukraine is perhaps fate.
The pair are both onboard and, despite the previously promised timescale of February now being pushed back, the fight looks likely to happen next.
Wladimir and his brother Vitali, who is Mayor of Kyiv, are in the throes of a Russian invasion, but they still have a keen interest in the sport and its positive influences.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in attendance at the undisputed fight much like they were for Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua – also a former opponent of Wladimir but one he holds much more respect for.