'Tyson Fury is invisible man' Why did world heavyweight champion stand up Wladimir Klitschko?

ByEurosport

Updated 12/09/2016 at 15:40 GMT

Tyson Fury has failed to turn up for his press conference with Wladimir Klitschko ahead of their World Championship rematch in Manchester next month.

The British fighter apparently became stranded in traffic on the M6 before his mobile phone ran out of battery on his way to London on Monday.

"Tyson had problems with traffic and then his car broke down," said the British fighter's promoter Mick Hennessy.

“We spoke to him once on the phone but his battery is dead.”

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Fury overcame Klitschko to claim the Ukraine fighter's WBA, WBO and IBF belts by unanimous points decision in Dusseldorf last November, but they will again do battle at Manchester Arena on October 29.

“Fury's not here right now - maybe he's invisible - but hopefully soon we will meet in the ring," said Klitschko, whose shock loss to Fury was his first in 11 years.

Tyson Fury in fancy dress as Batman during the press conference ahead of his fight with Wladimir Klitschko

Image credit: Reuters

“I can wait; I have enough patience. I'm looking forward to this fight and I hope eventually we will meet in the ring.

“We want to show to the public that the fight is for real. If it doesn't happen in October, I will wait.

“Eventually time will run out for the champion because he has to defend his titles."

Fury famously attended a press conference with Klitschko a year ago dressed up as Batman where he staged a mock fight with someone dressed as 'The Joker;.

After being stripped of the IBF title for failing to face its mandatory challenger, a belt now held by fellow Brit Anthony Joshua, Fury was forced to withdraw from the original rematch date in July after picking up an ankle injury.

He was seen partying with England fans at Euro 2016 in France where he apparently bought 200 Jagerbombs.

Fury was provisionally suspended by UK Anti doping for failing a drugs test six months before he beat Klitschko last year, but the ban has been lifted ahead of a hearing that will be staged after his second fight with Klitschko.

Tyson Fury worked up an appetite in his world title bout

Image credit: Imago

“I'm enjoying the situation I'm in as the challenger," said Klitschko.

“I used to sit in the middle as the champion but now my position is on the edge of the table.

“What happened last November was a great experience for me. I always think that as one window closes, another opens. I have gained a lot of experience and I'm obsessed with the goal of getting the titles back.”

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