Wladimir Klitschko vs Tyson Fury: Challenger dresses as Batman at eventful press conference

Wladimir Klitsckho and Tyson Fury held an eventful press conference on 23 September as the two heavyweights prepare to go head-to-head for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles at the Espirit Arena in Dusseldorf in October in a bout believed to be worth over £30m ($45.7m).

Having kept the reigning champion waiting, the ever-confident Fury, who has shown little sign of any respect for his opponent since the fight was officially announced in July, entered the room to the sound of the Batman theme music and in superhero dress complete with mask and all. The Caped Crusader theme did not stop there either, with the colourful 27-year-old also jumping over the table in order to battle a man donning the costume of arch-rival The Joker.

Although he looked distinctly unimpressed, the far more placid and methodical Klitschko did at least applaud the effort before the two men began to exchange frequent barbs after Fury returned in a suit. Taking exception to repeatedly being dubbed a "clown" and prescribed therapy by the man who goes by the moniker "Doctor Steelhammer", he stood up and removed his jacket and appeared keen to settle the rivalry there and then.

Despite the pre-fight theatrics, it would certainly come as a big surprise if Fury were to inflict just a fourth professional defeat on the dominant Klitschko. While the latter is now 39, he has rarely been troubled in recent years and has not lost since the fight against American Lamon Brewster in April 2004. His last win came five months ago via a unanimous decision against Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden, a contest that was still mostly one-sided but also led many to claim the Olympic gold medallist was finally beginning to slow down and show his age.

Fury, by contrast, provided a successful defence of his WBO International Heavyweight Championship and sealed his shot against Klitschko in impressive style with a comfortable eight-round victory over Christian Hammer at the O2 Arena. This is certainly a step up in class, though, and it will be intriguing to see if he can exploit his height and weight advantage.