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Wladimir Klitschko's opponent turns press conference into carnival with Batman-Joker gimmick

Wladimir Klitschko has already gone on record suggesting that his opponent on Oct. 24 is both “psychologically unstable” and “bipolar.” Rather than be upset about the claims, Tyson Fury decided to play into Klitschko’s accusations during an absolutely bizarre news conference in London on Wednesday.

After the current IBF, WBO, WBA (Super) and The Ring heavyweight champion took his seat with his titles spread across a table in front of him, Fury made a grand entrance that would have made Adam West proud.

Dressed in full Batman attire, Fury’s 6-foot-9 frame entered the room to the theme song from the 1966 TV series much to the surprise of all in attendance. Once seated, and the press conference got started, things took another turn for the outlandish. After Klitschko was introduced, the Neal Hefti-composed theme began playing again when a man dressed like the Joker interrupted the proceedings and approached Fury.

“Why so serious?” the man said while pointing at Fury. The British boxer then bounded over the table and wrestled his nemesis to the floor in a clearly staged act that drew laughter and applause from the media. The two rolled around, knocking Klitschko’s titles off the tables in the process, before Fury finally subdued the Joker.

The 27-year-old unbeaten contender got to his feet and motioned to Team Klitschko, who all seemed dumbfounded by what was taking place.

''You’re next!” Fury shouted, still in semi-character. “He is a fool, just like you are.”

British heavyweight Tyson Fury in a Batman costume fights with an actor in a Joker costume on Wednesday. (AP)
British heavyweight Tyson Fury in a Batman costume fights with an actor in a Joker costume on Wednesday. (AP)

With The Joker laid on the floor, Fury pointed at the caped crusader’s restrained rival.

“Look at him. That is how you'll be looking when you face me on the 24th of October. You’ll be on your back like that you old idiot!''

After directing some unflattering words to Klitschko’s trainer, Jonathan Banks, Fury then removed The Joker from the press conference. After a few moments, Fury re-emerged in the room with a gray suit and apologizing for being tardy, as if nothing had ever happened.

The heavyweight champion appeared to be mildly entertained by the proceedings but maintained that he wouldn’t need theatrics to make Fury victim No. 65 when they meet in October.

“I’ll let my fists do the talking,” Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs) said while suggesting that his opponent was a clown that was in need of therapy. “I am going to make you eat your words.”

The animated Fury continued to fire verbal jabs at his opponent and would eventually remove his suit jacket to confront Klitschko.

“Call me a clown again!” Fury shouted before having to be restrained by his father John Fury. The two continued to exchange words as Fury maintained that he will knock out the second longest reigning heavyweight champion of all-time.

“The last two letters of your name is 'K-O,' ” Fury said. “It has been a long time since you have been on the canvas. I don't think I'm going to get a decision in Germany and I'm not going to leave the biggest fight of my life in someone else's hands.”

If the entertaining build-up to this fight is any indication, this should be a good one.