Klitschko's sparring partners fear for Tyson Fury: 'There's a huge difference in level'

The Sunday Times spoke to several boxers who have dared to step foot in the ring with the world heavyweight champion, the journalist who wrote the piece coming to the question that Fury "will, for all his size and bluster, most likely be felled like some gigantic pine tree."

Sparring partner Adrian Granat, an unbeaten Swede who at 6'8" is just an inch shorter than Fury and two inches taller than Klitschko, put it this way: "Three rounds with Klitschko is like eight or nine with anyone else... If you don’t concentrate every second, you’re going to get punished.”

Another, 6'8" Richard Towers from Sheffield, expanded on that: "We earn seriously good money,” he said.

"But we earn it. Wladimir likes to land shots and he takes no prisoners.

"I came here three years ago and he dropped me. I felt like I had never been in a ring before.

"Now I’m better but I have to be very careful. When he throws a punch, nine out of 10 times it lands, and he’s always in position to throw shots.

"He may be 39 now, but there’s no deterioration at all, believe me.”

Fury takes on Klitschko next Saturday for the first time, but they almost faced off once before: the Anglo-Irish boxer himself was once called up to Klitschko's training camp as a potential partner, but never got a chance to step in the ring.

"According to Fury, that was because Klitschko was scared," writes the Sunday Times's Nick Pitt.

"According to Klitschko, it was because Fury was so obviously raw that Klitschko’s trainer at the time, the late Emanuel Steward, decided he was not up to the task and should be spared a bad beating."

Towers added that he has huge regard for Fury, having sparred with him as well - but he still only sees one possible outcome for the bout.

"Tyson is one of the best fighters I’ve shared a ring with,” Towers said.

"He will be coming to fight and he’s very game. I wish him all the best, but there’s a huge difference in level. Wladimir is the complete professional and a very consistent performer...

"Tyson will either be knocked out or beaten over 12 rounds.”