Fury teases Klitschko ahead of rematch
MANCHESTER, England, April 27, (AP): Tyson Fury removed his T-shirt, turned to Wladimir Klitschko, pointed to his flabby belly and blurted out: “Shame on you let a fat man beat you.”
It was just one of the many lively moments in an expletive-laden, at-times-shocking news conference at the Manchester Arena on Wednesday between two fighters vying to become world heavyweight champion on July 9.
Fury was the star of the show, as always. It started with him waltzing into the event backed by music and cheerleaders, and dancing in front of Klitschko. It ended with Fury ranting about how he hates boxing, how he’d rather be sitting on his sofa eating chocolate, and calling himself a “joke.”
Klitschko often sat motionless, sometimes shaking his head at what he was hearing. The Ukrainian still cannot believe his nine-year reign as world heavyweight champion ended at the hands of Fury in a unanimous decision in Germany in November. Not because he doesn’t think Fury is a bad boxer, but because he doesn’t respect him as a person.
Fury is outspoken with his views. He has criticized abortion, openly disagrees with homosexuality, made sexist comments like “a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back,” and said doping should be legalized in all sports to make it “fully fair.”
Klitschko said he is “embarrassed” that he has given a “stage” to Fury by losing to him.
“I’m not OK with what comes out of Fury’s mouth, his statements,” Klitschko said Wednesday. “For example, that all homosexual men and women and paedophiles belong in the same place, in jail basically. That all women belong in the kitchen and on their back. So that is basically where he sees Elton John and the Queen.”
Klitschko added that he wants to win the rematch “not just for myself but for the people ... and the better reputation of the heavyweight champion.”
Fury, it seems, isn’t ready to change. Holding one of the most prestigious titles in all sports hasn’t made him more of a role model. He says what he thinks and continues to offend people with his controversial views and language. excruciatingly close to reaching the Champions League final against English opposition as Jens Lehmann saved Juan Roman Riquelme’s lastminute penalty to send Arsenal to the final 1-0 on aggregate.
However, Marcelino believes having almost sealed their place in next season’s Champions League already through La Liga, his players have no pressure on them to reach the final.
“The context is similar (to 10 years ago), but we are convinced that we can eliminate Liverpool,” he added.
“It is a privilege to play this semifinal. There was much more pressure in the previous ties and now we have a great chance to make history in this club.” Sevilla continue their quest to win a third consecutive Europa League in the other semi-final when they travel to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg in Ukraine.
The match will be played in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv as Shakhtar have defied their exile from war-torn Donetsk to reach the last four.
“We fully respect them and we know the difficulties they will pose,” said Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra.
“They are an experienced team with a mixture of Ukrainians and Brazilians, they are quick and have the quality to surprise us.”
Sevilla have good memories of facing Shakhtar as an amazing stoppage-time equaliser from goalkeeper Andres Palop sent their last-16 tie into extra time before the Spaniards went on to win the competition in 2007.
“Hopefully, the luck that helped Sevilla in 2007 will be on our side this time,” said Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu.