BIG FIGHT COUNTDOWN: Gloves, drugs and fairy tales ahead of Tyson Fury’s title bid

The Morecambe-based world heavyweight title challenger landed in Germany on Sunday looking relaxed and happy.

But it didn’t take long for controversy to rear its head.

On Monday reports came in that Fury had threatened to pull out of the fight unless he can wear his chosen boxing gloves.

His opponent Wladimir Klitschko, the WBA Super, IBF and WBO champion chose Paffen gloves for the bout.

But Tyson refused, wanting to wear Reyes gloves with less padding around the knuckles.

Just days before the bout, the big man is still waiting for the new gloves to be sent.

Tyson said he was “nearly breaking this thumb” every time he practiced in the Paffen gloves.

“I mean this: If I don’t fight in the right gloves, then there’s no fight,” an angry Fury told Sky Sports. “He’s had it all his own way in every single aspect and all I ask is that I’m treated fairly and to wear gloves which fit me, for the sake of my hands.”

Fury also caused a stir with comments about doping in boxing.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live there was a major problem with drug taking in the sport.

And he even suggested that drugs be made legal in sports to ensure a level playing field.

“Boxing has got a big problem with drugs,” he said.

“But it doesn’t bother me because at the end of the day it’s about determination over drugs.

“If the governing bodies want to (make drugs legal), it will be a bit fairer. You can’t tell me that 99% of these sportspeople ain’t taking drugs if they’ve got bodies like Greek gods.

“If a man wants to pump himself full of drugs it’s only shortening his life isn’t it? You’re on a one-way ticket to a heart attack.”

Tyson never shies away from speaking his mind. But he also has a light-hearted side.

This was shown when he appeared on a Sky Sports website video clip reading a special fairy tale – or Fury tale – dedicated to his opponent on Saturday.

Clad in dressing gown and pyjamas, Fury read from a story book and said:

“A big bad wolf once stomped around

Blowing people’s houses down

Whether made of bricks or made of hay

He’d blow each one of them away

No-one could stop him try as they might

So Tyson said I’ll give him a fight

The wolf complained and made him wait

Until November 28

But the great knight in his adopted home town

The big bad wolf was blown down

And Tyson was boss of the brawl

The biggest baddest wolf of all

Goodnight Wladimir!”

Next for Tyson is the final pre-fight press conference, where he and Klitschko will come face-to-face later today (Tuesday).

The fight itself will be held at the Esprit Arena on Saturday night, with the IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine Heavyweight Championship of the World on the line.