Only a pound separated world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and his challenger Tyson Fury this afternoon at a pre-fight weigh-in held at Essen’s Karstadt headquarters.

Fury, unbeaten in 24 professional fights, took to the scales first and weighed 112 kilograms (247 pounds or 17 stone 8lbs), while Klitschko, 64-3 (53 KO’s) and undefeated in eleven years, weighed 115.5 kilograms (246 pounds or 17 stone 7lbs).

“If you asked 10 boxers to build their nightmare opponent, you’d end up with Tyson Fury,” the challenger told the BBC.

“I’m everybody’s nightmare opponent – tall, rangy, a counter-puncher, can switch from orthodox to southpaw.

“You can’t achieve more than Wlad’s already achieved. To come back from three knockout defeats and reign for nine years, you’ve got to admire him. But every dog has its day and it’s got to come to an end at some point.”