Fury risks Wladimir Klitschko world title bout by agreeing Hammer fight in February

FORMER Irish heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will take on big-hitting Romanian Christian Hammer at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, February 28.

The undefeated Morecambe giant faces one final test before a shot at heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko later in 2015.

Fury, ranked number one with the WBO, will put his WBO international title and date with Klitschko on the line against the German based fighter, 17-3, who is ranked fourth with the governing body.

The 26-year-old will be looking to build on a career best performance against Dereck Chisora having dismantled his British rival in November to set up the clash with Klitschko.

Fury said: “I’ve said all along I’m not like these other fighters in the division who pussy foot around, take soft touches and call themselves fighters.

“I could have taken an easy job at the O2 arena to keep my position safe for my world title fight against Klitschko, but that’s not what Tyson Fury is about or what the public want to see from someone who has promised from day one to win the world heavyweight title.

“On paper it’s a dangerous job against Hammer, he’s highly ranked, he brings a big punch with him, he’ll have ambitions of his own to beat me and grab himself a world title shot against Klitschko and I’m sure he’ll be full of confidence coming over here.”

Hammer, a former WBO European Champion who has 10 stoppages out of 17 wins, will be looking to cause a huge upset by being the first to defeat Fury and earn himself a shot at Klitschko.

Fury against Hammer will headline the Risky Business show on February 28 live on BoxNation.