Tyson Fury, the new world boxing heavyweight champion, said he went thirsty after beating Wladimir Klitschko because he feared his water might be spiked with a banned substance, which could affect his post-match urine test result. After problems over the ring canvas and gloves, the unbeaten British boxer refused to drink water in his dressing room. In fact, it wasn’t until he was back in his hotel room, after the urine test, that he had a drink.
Tyson Luke Fury, born in 1988 in Wythenshawe, Manchester, England, is a British professional boxer who fights at heavyweight. On Saturday night he defeated Wladimir Klitschko to become WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring unified heavyweight champion.
The unbeaten 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) fighter surprised the world by dethroning Ukrainian Klitschko (39) at the ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. Klitschko had been world champion for over nine years.
Tyson Fury expressed his joy on Twitter after becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion. (Image: Gypsy King @Tyson_Fury)
Fury accused Klitschko’s team of dirty tricks
On Monday, at a news conference at Bolton Wanderers’ Macron Stadium, Fury accused Klitschko’s camp of a dirty tricks campaign aimed at rattling him. He had been worried that his drug test, which boxers have to undergo after a fight, could be sabotaged.
Fury said:
“After the fight, I had it from good sources not to touch anything in the changing room because they might try to drug me.”
“People were trying to pass me all sorts of things but unless it came from my own baggage, I wasn’t having it. There was no chance of me getting drugged.”
Regarding his new position as the undisputed world heavyweight champion, Fury said:
“It’s not going to change me. There’ll be no change in the champ. If people don’t like it, change the channel. I won’t be dictated to by anyone. Do I care? Not really.”
Heated arguments before the fight
The fight was preceded by much argument and controversy. Fury said he was given the wrong gloves, they put six inches of memory foam all over the ring, which triggered a dispute that nearly led to the fight’s cancellation. Klitschko’s bandages and wraps had been put on before they came into the changing room, so he had to take them off.
Tyson Fury was awarded a unanimous 115-112, 115-112, 116-111 scoreline. (Image: facebook.com)
The Telegraph reported that during Friday’s weigh-in, Fury was baffled that the scales the orgnisers provided had him at 17st 8lbs (112 kgs). His own scales, earlier that day, weighed him at 18st 1lb. When he returned to his hotel that weight was confirmed.
Without having anything to drink in the dressing room, Fury underwent the post-fight urine test for the Deutscher Boxsport-Verband (German Boxing Federation). He said he went home completely dehydrated before he even touched anything – he was so scared of being drugged and failing the test.
Fury said:
“I didn’t want to take drinks or food from anyone. You can never be too careful.”
Fury’s contract says he must be available for a rematch with Klitschko. According to The Telegraph, his uncle, who is also his trainer, suggested a rematch in May at Wembley Stadium in London.
Video – Fury vs. Klitschko highlights
