IT behoves Bernd Boente, as head of the Klitschko Management Group who stage this Saturday’s world title fight in Düsseldorf, to do all he can to effectively promote the chances of Tyson Fury, challenger for the world heavyweight title held by the executive’s main man, Wladimir Klitschko. But there still appears to be an air of sincerity as Boente reflects on Fury’s chances.
“This is a super interesting fight because Fury is undefeated, taller, has a longer reach and can change stances,” Boente declares. “Boxing fans know all that, and the press conference when Fury dressed as Batman was all over the media. It definitely compares with the David Haye fight but I’m sure way more British fans give him way more of a chance than Haye. He’s a full-sized heavyweight.”
The Fury fight is the first of a new five-bout deal Wladimir has signed with with German broadcaster RTL. Boente is keen to point out that Klitschko still has significant ambition and goals he wishes to achieve.
“We already broke the indoor attendance record in Gelsenkirchen [in 2009] when 61,000 people watched the fight against Ruslan Chagaev and the roof was closed,” Boente commented. “This fight will be broadcast in 150 countries, there is worldwide interest. Obviously Sky, RTL, HBO and Inter in Ukraine are our most important TV partners, but there are also many others. K2 Ukraine and K2 US both belong to Wladimir and they have a contract with Gennady Golovkin, who is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and without doubt the best middleweight. Cecilia Braekhus is under contract and she is the best female in the world, and Oleksandr Usyk who has a fantastic professional future. Wladimir is also look into signing further fighters and that’s definitely one of his goals. As for Wladimir, as long as he is successful, injury free and motivated he will continue. We have just signed a new five-fight deal with RTL and Fury is the first fight. These are the fights he loves to do.”
