Gloves are off as Tyson Fury says world heavyweight title fight could be in doubt over dodgy mitts

The Ukrainian WBA Super, WBC and IBF champion Klitschko has chosen Paffen gloves for the bout, but Fury is unhappy with the test pair that he was sent by the manufacturer.

A second test has been deemed more suitable, and Fury is apparently more content with that pair of gloves but is waiting for a brand new pair of those to be made in time for the bout.

"There's a ruckus over the gloves. I mean this: If I don't fight in the right gloves, then there's no fight. I'm in Germany, in the town he picked, wearing the make of gloves he wanted," said Fury, who also claims he has the backing of the British Boxing Board of Control in his bid to change the gloves.

"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. Because this is not my last fight.

"After I knock him out, I'll have other fights and I need my hands for my trade.

"I just want a normal glove. I either get the gloves I want or there's no fight. Alternatively, we can do it bare-knuckle.

"They're a German brand I think called Paffen. They sent me some gloves over which Wladimir had asked for and they had big giant thumbs which were about two or three inches bigger than normal so that the thumb is sticking out.

"Every time I was punching with them my thumb was nearly breaking. No matter how we tried breaking them in, it wasn't working.

"I was hurting my hands all the time. We phoned the guys there and they said 'these are the gloves Klitschko has asked for and he won't be happy if we give him any other gloves'

"I said 'how can I box in gloves I'm not comfortable wearing?' They sent me another style with normal thumbs which seemed to be okay. But then they said 'oh it's going to be a struggle to make these gloves in time'. They are still not made.

"Robert Smith (British Boxing Board of Control secretary) stepped in and said 'you need to make them on time because it's not fair to have a fighter boxing in gloves he isn't comfortable with in a world title fight."

Fury says he won't know until after the weight-in on Friday if the right gloves have been made in time.

"If I get the gloves with the big thumbs? It's a no-go area. I'm not fighting in them. Because even if I throw a jab, I'm going to dislocate my thumb.

"Mind games won't affect me at all. If there are no gloves there is no fight. It's not rocket science. It's like coming into a ring with no shoes on. It's not going to be sanctioned. I would definitely not go back on this."