Sport

Wladimir Klitschko will take up his re-match option

The Ukrainian lost his world heavyweight championship title to Tyson Fury

Wladimir Klitschko during his IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO World Heavyweight Championship title fight against Tyson Fury at Esprit-Arena in Duesseldorf, Germany. Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
Wladimir Klitschko during his IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO World Heavyweight Championship title fight against Tyson Fury at Esprit-Arena in Duesseldorf, Germany. Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
Wed Dec 02 2015 - 15:34

Wladimir Klitschko has announced he will take up his option for a re-match against new world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian lost to Briton Fury on points in Dusseldorf on Saturday night, ending a nine-year reign.

But the 39-year-old has announced on Instagram he is ready to take on Fury again in the new year.

“I have a pre-Christmas gift for Tyson Fury and all boxing fans around the world,” Klitschko said in a video message on Instagram.

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“I’ll be making use of my contractual option for a re-match against Fury. So to say, the fight of 2016 is in the making.”

Peter Fury, the champion’s trainer and uncle, welcomed Klitschko’s declaration.

“I think it’s fantastic news. We’re absolutely ecstatic,” he said on Sky Sports News.

“These are the two best heavyweights in the world, bar none, and it’s nice to see them clashing again.

“We weren’t expecting an answer before January. To know now the fight’s going to be on, we’re really excited and very happy.”

Klitschko believes he drastically under-performed in Dusseldorf and has plenty of scope for improving his performance second time around.

But Peter Fury said: “Tyson had a lot more to give as well. I think it’s going to be great for both guys, because I said after the fight that Tyson only performed only about 60-65 per cent of his potential, so I’m looking forward to getting the fight on and letting Tyson do 100 per cent of what we know we can do.

“I see the outcome being no different.”

Identifying a venue will be one of the key steps in putting the fight on, and Peter Fury said: “We’re looking at possibly getting it at Wembley Stadium next year.”