Tag: Fury next fight

Good, bad, worse: Tyson Fury put on unforgettable show in London

Good, bad, worse: Tyson Fury put on an unforgettable show in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

What a moment.

Tyson Fury returns home to England after three-plus years away, dominates Dillian Whyte for five-plus rounds and then knocks him out with a mammoth right uppercut in Round 6 to retain his heavyweight title Saturday before a U.K.-record 94,000 adoring fans at Wembley Stadium.

Could it get any better than that?

I don’t know whether it can be described as the greatest performance in Fury’s career given Whyte’s obvious limitations. But he’s unlikely to top the drama he served up on an unforgettable night in London.

And it gets better when you consider the bumpy path Fury took to get to Saturday night.

In November 2015 he gave arguably his most impressive performance, a dominating unanimous decision over long-reigning, seemingly untouchable heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.

Then the bottom fell out of his life, as he left boxing for 2½ years, ballooned to a reported 400 pounds and entered a pitched battle with his demons, including substance abuse and depression. Things got so bad that he contemplated suicide.

The notion that he would return to face Deontay Wilder in a classic three-fight series, reclaim the distinction of being the No. 1 heavyweight in the world and then do what he did on Saturday would’ve been unthinkable.

Yet here we are.

Fury is the best heavyweight of his era (yes, better than Oleksandr Usyk as things stand now). A 6-foot-9 man has no right to box or move as lithely as he does. And trainer Sugar Hill Steward has turned him into a formidable puncher, as Whyte learned.

He has evolved into one of the sport’s most engaging personalities, which is saying something given crude early-career comments that were widely criticized. He’s good fun now.

And in light of the obstacles he has overcome he is nothing short of an inspiration to many people.

Fury, having worked himself back into fighting shape, once posted on social media a photo of himself when he weighed 400 pounds. The caption read: “When someone says you can’t do something, look at this and remember anything is possible.”

 

BAD

Have we seen the last of Fury in a boxing ring? I doubt it.

The 33-year-old Mancunian said repeatedly after his victory over Whyte that his intention is to retire. I don’t believe he’s lying. I just feel, based on so many other fighters who “retired” and then returned, that the call of the ring is immensely powerful.

I’m not talking only about money, although the many millions he stands to make will serve as motivation to return. No, I would ask: What could Fury do that can top performing at the highest level of his profession in front of millions of people worldwide?

Fury is a fighter, but he’s also an entertainer. And an entertainer needs an audience.

A hybrid fight against MMA star Francis Ngannou would generate a fortune and serve as a stage for Fury but it wouldn’t be the same as a boxing match. Fury vs. Ngannou would be gimmicky, akin to a Mike Tyson senior exhibition and fights involving YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul.

Fury is a boxer through and through. I believe he’ll engage in the sweet science as long as he can do it at a high level. And let’s be clear: He’s at the absolute peak of his abilities, as we saw on Saturday.

How could he walk away now?

It happens. Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis and Carl Froch are among those who retired as world champions and never returned. Fury could join that group if he’s truly determined to begin a new chapter in his life and that of his family.

I’d bet against it, though. The opportunity to fight the winner of the tentative Usyk-Anthony Joshua fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship will be too tempting for him to pass up, in terms of both the money to be collected and a chance to further enhance his legacy.

I’ll be shocked if the uppercut that stopped Whyte is the last punch Fury will have thrown as a boxer.

 

WORSE

Other prominent boxers have engaged in silly events. Muhammad Ali “fought” wrestler Antonio Inoki while he was still an active boxer. George Foreman once took on five men in one night. And Floyd Mayweather play-acted with wrestler Paul “The Big Show” Wight.

Fury would be following in their footsteps if he takes on Ngannou, who was invited into the ring after Fury’s victory and later said a meeting between the two will take place next year.

I wouldn’t blame Fury for taking part in such an event from a business standpoint. Most people would take advantage of an opportunity to make a fortune in what would amount to a workout.

And if they fight under boxing rules – MMA gloves or no MMA gloves – Fury would be taking next to no risk. It would be as absurd as the Mayweather-Conor McGregor matchup, in which that popular MMA star – with limited boxing skills – had no chance to win. Small (read: no) risk, big gain.

I’m a capitalist. I get it. That said, I didn’t like the Ali, Foreman and Mayweather events. And I don’t like this one.

Fury fighting Ngannou would be akin to Bob Dylan writing a jingle for a product on television or Steven Spielberg directing a TikTok video. It’s beneath Fury to face an opponent who doesn’t have the ability to compete with him, which would create a circus atmosphere.

So will it happen?

Well, I thought it was interesting that Ngannou said the fight will happen sometime next year, not sooner. Maybe Fury just wants to take a long rest. Or maybe he remains open to fighting Usyk or Joshua before he engages in events outside boxing.

There will be time for such things later.

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Good, bad, worse: Tyson Fury put on unforgettable show in London

Good, bad, worse: Tyson Fury put on an unforgettable show in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

What a moment.

Tyson Fury returns home to England after three-plus years away, dominates Dillian Whyte for five-plus rounds and then knocks him out with a mammoth right uppercut in Round 6 to retain his heavyweight title Saturday before a U.K.-record 94,000 adoring fans at Wembley Stadium.

Could it get any better than that?

I don’t know whether it can be described as the greatest performance in Fury’s career given Whyte’s obvious limitations. But he’s unlikely to top the drama he served up on an unforgettable night in London.

And it gets better when you consider the bumpy path Fury took to get to Saturday night.

In November 2015 he gave arguably his most impressive performance, a dominating unanimous decision over long-reigning, seemingly untouchable heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.

Then the bottom fell out of his life, as he left boxing for 2½ years, ballooned to a reported 400 pounds and entered a pitched battle with his demons, including substance abuse and depression. Things got so bad that he contemplated suicide.

The notion that he would return to face Deontay Wilder in a classic three-fight series, reclaim the distinction of being the No. 1 heavyweight in the world and then do what he did on Saturday would’ve been unthinkable.

Yet here we are.

Fury is the best heavyweight of his era (yes, better than Oleksandr Usyk as things stand now). A 6-foot-9 man has no right to box or move as lithely as he does. And trainer Sugar Hill Steward has turned him into a formidable puncher, as Whyte learned.

He has evolved into one of the sport’s most engaging personalities, which is saying something given crude early-career comments that were widely criticized. He’s good fun now.

And in light of the obstacles he has overcome he is nothing short of an inspiration to many people.

Fury, having worked himself back into fighting shape, once posted on social media a photo of himself when he weighed 400 pounds. The caption read: “When someone says you can’t do something, look at this and remember anything is possible.”

 

BAD

Have we seen the last of Fury in a boxing ring? I doubt it.

The 33-year-old Mancunian said repeatedly after his victory over Whyte that his intention is to retire. I don’t believe he’s lying. I just feel, based on so many other fighters who “retired” and then returned, that the call of the ring is immensely powerful.

I’m not talking only about money, although the many millions he stands to make will serve as motivation to return. No, I would ask: What could Fury do that can top performing at the highest level of his profession in front of millions of people worldwide?

Fury is a fighter, but he’s also an entertainer. And an entertainer needs an audience.

A hybrid fight against MMA star Francis Ngannou would generate a fortune and serve as a stage for Fury but it wouldn’t be the same as a boxing match. Fury vs. Ngannou would be gimmicky, akin to a Mike Tyson senior exhibition and fights involving YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul.

Fury is a boxer through and through. I believe he’ll engage in the sweet science as long as he can do it at a high level. And let’s be clear: He’s at the absolute peak of his abilities, as we saw on Saturday.

How could he walk away now?

It happens. Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis and Carl Froch are among those who retired as world champions and never returned. Fury could join that group if he’s truly determined to begin a new chapter in his life and that of his family.

I’d bet against it, though. The opportunity to fight the winner of the tentative Usyk-Anthony Joshua fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship will be too tempting for him to pass up, in terms of both the money to be collected and a chance to further enhance his legacy.

I’ll be shocked if the uppercut that stopped Whyte is the last punch Fury will have thrown as a boxer.

 

WORSE

Other prominent boxers have engaged in silly events. Muhammad Ali “fought” wrestler Antonio Inoki while he was still an active boxer. George Foreman once took on five men in one night. And Floyd Mayweather play-acted with wrestler Paul “The Big Show” Wight.

Fury would be following in their footsteps if he takes on Ngannou, who was invited into the ring after Fury’s victory and later said a meeting between the two will take place next year.

I wouldn’t blame Fury for taking part in such an event from a business standpoint. Most people would take advantage of an opportunity to make a fortune in what would amount to a workout.

And if they fight under boxing rules – MMA gloves or no MMA gloves – Fury would be taking next to no risk. It would be as absurd as the Mayweather-Conor McGregor matchup, in which that popular MMA star – with limited boxing skills – had no chance to win. Small (read: no) risk, big gain.

I’m a capitalist. I get it. That said, I didn’t like the Ali, Foreman and Mayweather events. And I don’t like this one.

Fury fighting Ngannou would be akin to Bob Dylan writing a jingle for a product on television or Steven Spielberg directing a TikTok video. It’s beneath Fury to face an opponent who doesn’t have the ability to compete with him, which would create a circus atmosphere.

So will it happen?

Well, I thought it was interesting that Ngannou said the fight will happen sometime next year, not sooner. Maybe Fury just wants to take a long rest. Or maybe he remains open to fighting Usyk or Joshua before he engages in events outside boxing.

There will be time for such things later.

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Deontay Wilder finally congratulates Tyson Fury on his victory

Deontay Wilder finally congratulated Tyson Fury on his knockout victory Saturday in Las Vegas.

Deontay Wilder finally gave credit where credit was due.

The former heavyweight champ, who was knocked out by Tyson Fury in the 11th round of a five-knockout classic in their third meeting Saturday in Las Vegas, congratulated the victor five days later on Instagram and Twitter.

Here’s what Wilder had to say:

“Wow, what a hell of a night! I would like to first and foremost thank God for allowing me to give the world another part of me that’s driven with passion and determination. I would like to thank my team and my fans for sticking by my side through this long process. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen. We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win.

“Although, I wanted the win I enjoyed seeing the fans win even more. Hopefully, I proved that I am a true Warrior and a true King in this sport. Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in. Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVBGSqfli8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fury had said at the post-fight news conference that Wilder initially showed no interest in congratulating him.

“We fought like two warriors in there,” he said. “I went to shake his hand and say well done, and he said, ‘No, I don’t respect you.’ He’s acted like a sore loser in boxing. I’m sure he’s not the first one, and he won’t be the last one.”

Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) and Widler (42-2-1, 41 KOs) fought to a disputed draw in the 2018 and the Englishman won the rematch in February of last year to take Wilder’s title, winning by a seventh-round knockout.

Fury has not said who he would like to fight next, although Dillian Whyte has been mentioned as a possibility. Wilder was suspended for six month as a result of the knockout.

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Deontay Wilder finally congratulates Tyson Fury on his victory

Deontay Wilder finally congratulated Tyson Fury on his knockout victory Saturday in Las Vegas.

Deontay Wilder finally gave credit where credit was due.

The former heavyweight champ, who was knocked out by Tyson Fury in the 11th round of a five-knockout classic in their third meeting Saturday in Las Vegas, congratulated the victor five days later on Instagram and Twitter.

Here’s what Wilder had to say:

“Wow, what a hell of a night! I would like to first and foremost thank God for allowing me to give the world another part of me that’s driven with passion and determination. I would like to thank my team and my fans for sticking by my side through this long process. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen. We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win.

“Although, I wanted the win I enjoyed seeing the fans win even more. Hopefully, I proved that I am a true Warrior and a true King in this sport. Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in. Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVBGSqfli8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fury had said at the post-fight news conference that Wilder initially showed no interest in congratulating him.

“We fought like two warriors in there,” he said. “I went to shake his hand and say well done, and he said, ‘No, I don’t respect you.’ He’s acted like a sore loser in boxing. I’m sure he’s not the first one, and he won’t be the last one.”

Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) and Widler (42-2-1, 41 KOs) fought to a disputed draw in the 2018 and the Englishman won the rematch in February of last year to take Wilder’s title, winning by a seventh-round knockout.

Fury has not said who he would like to fight next, although Dillian Whyte has been mentioned as a possibility. Wilder was suspended for six month as a result of the knockout.

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Tyson Fury on the mend, according to promoter Bob Arum

Promoter Bob Arum said heavyweight champ Tyson Fury seems to be regaining his health after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Bob Arum is encouraged about Tyson Fury’s health after speaking to the heavyweight titleholder.

Arum told BoxingScene.com that Fury, stricken with the coronavirus, sounded better on a phone call Monday than he did when the fighter’s co-promoter visited him Thursday in Las Vegas.

Fury’s title defense against Deontay Wilder, scheduled for July 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was postponed after he tested positive for the virus. Organizers are targeting Oct. 9 at T-Mobile for the fight.

“His spirits were OK,” Arum told the outlet. “He had congestion in his chest [Thursday]. But as of [Monday] morning, he seems much better.”

Fury reportedly had received the first Moderna vaccination but not the second. Arum said he has agreed to get vaccinated before meeting Wilder for a third time.

“He’s fine with it,” Arum said. “He got vaccinated in Miami. He got the first shot. And then he said he didn’t want to get the second shot because he didn’t want to get sick [from the vaccination] so close to the fight. So he got COVID instead.”

Fury, who lives in Las Vegas, plans to return to his home country of England for a few weeks and then return to the U.S. to resume training. It’s not clear how he will be able travel with COVID-19.

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Tyson Fury on the mend, according to promoter Bob Arum

Promoter Bob Arum said heavyweight champ Tyson Fury seems to be regaining his health after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Bob Arum is encouraged about Tyson Fury’s health after speaking to the heavyweight titleholder.

Arum told BoxingScene.com that Fury, stricken with the coronavirus, sounded better on a phone call Monday than he did when the fighter’s co-promoter visited him Thursday in Las Vegas.

Fury’s title defense against Deontay Wilder, scheduled for July 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was postponed after he tested positive for the virus. Organizers are targeting Oct. 9 at T-Mobile for the fight.

“His spirits were OK,” Arum told the outlet. “He had congestion in his chest [Thursday]. But as of [Monday] morning, he seems much better.”

Fury reportedly had received the first Moderna vaccination but not the second. Arum said he has agreed to get vaccinated before meeting Wilder for a third time.

“He’s fine with it,” Arum said. “He got vaccinated in Miami. He got the first shot. And then he said he didn’t want to get the second shot because he didn’t want to get sick [from the vaccination] so close to the fight. So he got COVID instead.”

Fury, who lives in Las Vegas, plans to return to his home country of England for a few weeks and then return to the U.S. to resume training. It’s not clear how he will be able travel with COVID-19.

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Tyson Fury on the mend, according to promoter Bob Arum

Promoter Bob Arum said heavyweight champ Tyson Fury seems to be regaining his health after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Bob Arum is encouraged about Tyson Fury’s health after speaking to the heavyweight titleholder.

Arum told BoxingScene.com that Fury, stricken with the coronavirus, sounded better on a phone call Monday than he did when the fighter’s co-promoter visited him Thursday in Las Vegas.

Fury’s title defense against Deontay Wilder, scheduled for July 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was postponed after he tested positive for the virus. Organizers are targeting Oct. 9 at T-Mobile for the fight.

“His spirits were OK,” Arum told the outlet. “He had congestion in his chest [Thursday]. But as of [Monday] morning, he seems much better.”

Fury reportedly had received the first Moderna vaccination but not the second. Arum said he has agreed to get vaccinated before meeting Wilder for a third time.

“He’s fine with it,” Arum said. “He got vaccinated in Miami. He got the first shot. And then he said he didn’t want to get the second shot because he didn’t want to get sick [from the vaccination] so close to the fight. So he got COVID instead.”

Fury, who lives in Las Vegas, plans to return to his home country of England for a few weeks and then return to the U.S. to resume training. It’s not clear how he will be able travel with COVID-19.

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Tyson Fury on the mend, according to promoter Bob Arum

Promoter Bob Arum said heavyweight champ Tyson Fury seems to be regaining his health after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Bob Arum is encouraged about Tyson Fury’s health after speaking to the heavyweight titleholder.

Arum told BoxingScene.com that Fury, stricken with the coronavirus, sounded better on a phone call Monday than he did when the fighter’s co-promoter visited him Thursday in Las Vegas.

Fury’s title defense against Deontay Wilder, scheduled for July 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was postponed after he tested positive for the virus. Organizers are targeting Oct. 9 at T-Mobile for the fight.

“His spirits were OK,” Arum told the outlet. “He had congestion in his chest [Thursday]. But as of [Monday] morning, he seems much better.”

Fury reportedly had received the first Moderna vaccination but not the second. Arum said he has agreed to get vaccinated before meeting Wilder for a third time.

“He’s fine with it,” Arum said. “He got vaccinated in Miami. He got the first shot. And then he said he didn’t want to get the second shot because he didn’t want to get sick [from the vaccination] so close to the fight. So he got COVID instead.”

Fury, who lives in Las Vegas, plans to return to his home country of England for a few weeks and then return to the U.S. to resume training. It’s not clear how he will be able travel with COVID-19.

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Deontay Wilder camp cites Tyson Fury’s negligence as reason for postponement

Deontay Wilder’s co-manager cited Tyson Fury’s negligence as the reason their third fight has been postponed.

The camp of Deontay Wilder is citing Tyson Fury’s negligence as the reason their fight was postponed.

Their third meeting, set for July 24, has been delayed because Fury tested positive for COVID-19. According to World Boxing News, which cited a “source,” Fury received the first Pfizer vaccine but not the second. In other words, the heavyweight titleholder wasn’t fully vaccinated.

Fury’s camp had indicated during a June 15 news conference that both Wilder and Fury were protected.

“If Tyson Fury and his team did what they should have done and said they had done, this fight would be on and not off,” Fury’s co-manager Shelly Finkel told WBN. “Deontay did what he was supposed to. He got his two Pfizer vaccines, and so did the members of his team.

“He’s ready to go, and this is because Fury did not do what he was supposed to.”

News broke Thursday that a COVID-19 outbreak in Fury’s camp threatened the fight, which was to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Athletic reported that as many as 10 people had contracted the virus. WBN reported that at least three others tested positive: assistant trainer Andy Lee, Isaac Lowe (who was scheduled to fight on the undercard) and former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker (who is trained by Lee).

A new date for Fury-Wilder III has not been announced, although sources told WBN early October is likely.

Fury was expected to fight Anthony Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight championship this summer in Saudi Arabia but an arbitrator ruled that Fury must honor a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II.

Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in December 2018. Fury won the rematch, in February of last year, by seventh-round knockout.

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Deontay Wilder camp cites Tyson Fury’s negligence as reason for postponement

Deontay Wilder’s co-manager cited Tyson Fury’s negligence as the reason their third fight has been postponed.

The camp of Deontay Wilder is citing Tyson Fury’s negligence as the reason their fight was postponed.

Their third meeting, set for July 24, has been delayed because Fury tested positive for COVID-19. According to World Boxing News, which cited a “source,” Fury received the first Pfizer vaccine but not the second. In other words, the heavyweight titleholder wasn’t fully vaccinated.

Fury’s camp had indicated during a June 15 news conference that both Wilder and Fury were protected.

“If Tyson Fury and his team did what they should have done and said they had done, this fight would be on and not off,” Fury’s co-manager Shelly Finkel told WBN. “Deontay did what he was supposed to. He got his two Pfizer vaccines, and so did the members of his team.

“He’s ready to go, and this is because Fury did not do what he was supposed to.”

News broke Thursday that a COVID-19 outbreak in Fury’s camp threatened the fight, which was to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Athletic reported that as many as 10 people had contracted the virus. WBN reported that at least three others tested positive: assistant trainer Andy Lee, Isaac Lowe (who was scheduled to fight on the undercard) and former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker (who is trained by Lee).

A new date for Fury-Wilder III has not been announced, although sources told WBN early October is likely.

Fury was expected to fight Anthony Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight championship this summer in Saudi Arabia but an arbitrator ruled that Fury must honor a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II.

Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in December 2018. Fury won the rematch, in February of last year, by seventh-round knockout.

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