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Klitschko expects to fight Fury within a year

ESPN staff
July 9, 2012
Could Wladimir Klitschko be set for another fight against a Brit? © Getty Images
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Heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has revealed that he expects to fight Tyson Fury within "the next year".

Fury, 23, claimed the WBO Inter-continental heavyweight title at the weekend with a comprehensive victory over journeyman Vinny Maddalone, before calling out the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali.

Klitschko had his own weekend win inside the ring - beating Tony Thompson for the second time in his career to retain his various titles - and the 36-year-old Ukrainian has now revealed that he expects to fight the Manchester-born boxer within the next 12 months.

"I think we could end up fighting very soon," Klitschko told Channel 5. "Probably in the next year."

Despite Fury's words on Saturday his manager, Mick Hennessey, indicated that he would look to arrange at least two fights - the first possibly being against Tomasz Adamek - before entering negotiations with the Klitschkos.

The younger Klitschko brother expects that to prove the case, going on to praise the way Fury has continually improved inside the ring over the past few years.

"From fight to fight he's just going to get better," Klitschko noted. "I doubt [a fight] is going to happen this year, but probably next."

For his part, Fury is confident he has the skills to finally end the Klitschkos' stranglehold on boxing's heavyweight division.

"I think I can win," he said. "Wladimir Klitschko hasn't fought anyone like me.

"I bring ambition, youth, power and determination. There's never been anyone like me. I am unique."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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