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BY GABRIEL PRINCEWILL
Christian Hammer (17-3 (10KO’s) plans to shock unbeaten giant, Tyson Fury(23-0 (17KO’s) at the 02 Arena when the pair meet on Saturday night.
The Polish fighter says he cannot understand why Fury would take such a stupid risk in fighting him first, when he has a big fight coming against Klitschko. Speaking through an interpreter, Hammer told eye of media ” I can’t understand why he is doing this, but for me, this is a very big opportunity. It is a good opportunity to take Fury’s spot and then fight Wladimir Klitschko. In fact, I couldn’t believe it when I heard he wanted to fight me first. Fury, already a Mandatory for Wladimir Klitschko’s belt, opted to fight highly ranked Hammer in order to stay ring fit following an inactive year in 2014 in which he had just one fight. Having been unfortunate to have three scuppered fights against David Haye and Derek Chisora respectively, his eventual methodical demolition of Chisora in their rescheduled bout secured his position for Klitschko’s three title belts.
Fury’s decision to fight Hammer rather than wait for Klitschko is more rational than it is foolish. If indeed as he has told us several times, he is a future great with all the requisite attributes to eclipse the best of his predecessors, then fighting Hammer is just one stop on the journey to continue the substantiation of the gypsy man’s claims. After all Fury at 6f ft 9 inches, is a fast industrious fighter who has decisively conquered all 23 of his opponents before now. His susceptibility to being put on his ass is somewhat compensated by this resolve in bouncing back on the two occasions where crisis starred him in the face. Hammer understandably takes solace from this fact and will be implored to actualize the dream of exploiting this vulnerability and crashing Fury’s title hopes. ”He has been put down before, and i believe I can do this too. I have definitely come here to make my way to fight for klitschko’s belt, he claims. His manager, Erol Cey Ian ECB is equally confident of his man emerging victorious. Speaking to eye of media, he said:
”I was born in the ring, his manager says. We see this as a great opportunity for the title. I don’t know why they took this fight, I think there must be problem with them getting the Klitschko fight because there is no other reason to take this risk. Christian has waited for this opportunity for a long time, and we are 100% confident that his speed will be enough to beat Fury. We think Fury will be shocked, he is overconfident coming into this fight”,
Meanwhile , Frank Warren told a press conference at the 02 Arena on Thursday that he was confident of staging a world title fight sometime this summer, with a football stadium being eyed as the venue for the clash. So, it would seem that all Fury need to do is beat Hammer and prepare for his biggest test. Can Hammer stop him? Asked how he would counteract the height differential between the two given the golf in height, Hammer cited Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield as examples of smaller men who have overcome bigger men. One thing for sure, Hammer is no Tyson or Holyfield, but may just make it interesting if he ups his game and provides a stern test for Fury in his bid to upset the cards. Whilst Fury is favourite for good reasons, it is not inconceivable for Hammer to turn the gypsy man’s dreams upside down on what could potentially be one of his biggest nights. After all, Fury has already been playing down his zeal about the sport , claiming to be in it mainly for the money.
Furthermore, Christian Hammers team says he has trained like one preparing for Wladimir Klitschko, and they say Fury is no Wladimir Klitschko. Fury has always insisted he is currently better than Klitschko and not only that, but Klitschko is actually scared to fight him. It would certainly seem improbable that the world’s best is scared of Tyson Fury who is still yet to prove himself among the best of the division, but who so far is unbeaten among the B and C list of the available pool of the division. Unless of course, the threat Fury poses is real and Klitschko is slightly worried about this. Fury’s cousin, Hughie Fury told eye of media ” Tyson has definitely got the beating of Wladimir Klitschko. I have seen him in training camp sparring several times, and I can tell you when he gets the chance, he will beat him”. Her handles tall fighters very well in sparring, and we have had a few good ones in camp.
Tempers flared a little between the pair at the weigh in for a fight that may turn out to be meaningful for both men. Hammers manager told eye of media ” people may think it is only Fury has something to lose, but Christian has a lot to lose too. He has his ranking to lose and also his reputation. He has taken this fight for peanuts, the money was not an incentive at all. The opportunity for a world title is his motivation for this fight and we believe his speed and hunger will be the key”. Hammer and Fury will certainly try hard to rock the boat for Fury and scupper the fight between Fury and Klitschko being planned ahead. And the fact Fury has been put down a couple of times will spur Hammer on. Fury’s reaction may make the fight hot up before we see what happens. It may turn out to be a good fight, but my money has to be on Fury to win an entertaining fight around the sixth round. He needs to look good doing it.