Tyson Fury: It doesn’t get any bigger than this

Tyson Fury tonight challenges champion Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight championship of the world in Dusseldorf. If the challenger can reproduce even half the intensity he exudes in an interview he may stand a chance of upsetting his underdog odds with the bookies.

Having weighed in at 17st 8lbs (one pound heavier than his rival) ahead of the bout at the 55,000-capacity Esprit Arena, Fury appeared to be a little less chirpy and confident than in recent weeks when conducting his media obligations. However, when he sat down with reporters earlier, the 27-year-old was far more brazen in his assessment of his task.

A Manchester native who once held the Irish heavyweight title which he was eligible to fight for thanks to his lineage, Fury openly dismissed the achievements of Klitschko despite the fact the champion has successfully defended some version of the heavyweight title 23 times in total, 18 times since 2006 and boxed the guts of 178 rounds since last tasting defeat in a 64-3 career.