By Tim Parsons-
Tyson Fury showed off an incredible physique today as he prepares for the biggest challenge of his career against Anthony Joshua.
A picture was uploaded on Fury’s Gypsy King official merchandise page showing the Wbc heavyweight champ looking in brilliant shape for his summer showdown against Anthony Joshua.
Fury- a giant by modern standards of boxing- is 6ft 9 tall and about 19 1/2 stone when fighting fit, and very mobile and awkward for his height and size.
The unbeaten Brit in 31 fights, looked dangerous in the forceful way in which he battered former Wbc reigning champion, Deontey Wilder, in 7 punishing rounds in February 2020, and is now planning to snatch the other three belts held by Anthony Joshua, whose only defeat in 24 fights came against Andy Ruiz Jnr.
A rematch between Fury and Wilder had been planned for the summer of 2020, but as aborted due to the pandemic, before a rescheduled date last December was also scrapped for similar reasons and due to problems finding a venue.
Wilder pursued a legal challenge to force the fight after Fury announced that the deadline of the contract had lapsed, even though the unforeseen circumstances caused by the pandemic would have worked in Wilder’s favour in guaranteeing him a rematch.
However, unconfirmed but reliable reports claim that the American took a $7m pay off to step aside to allow Fury and Joshua stage the biggest British unification heavyweight showdown in over two decades.
Some boxing experts believe Wilder knows he may never get the opportunity to avenge his defeat, if Joshua beats Fury one or both times, and sets up a path for their old rivalry to be revived.
A draw in either of the fights could easily lead to a third fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, leaving Wilder to earn some bucks facing fringe contenders in the division, some of whom will pose a risk to him anyway.
Wilder blamed his defeat in many factors including a theory that he was spiked by a former member of his own team, but most fans were doubtful of the American’s claims, and just wanted to see Joshua and Fury face each other.
A rematch with Fury was Wilder’s last chance to regain his belt, but he is believed to have concluded the risk of another defeat not to compare with a massive pay out to just step aside.
Impressive Performances
Fury is on a high right now after two impressive performances against the biggest punching heavyweight of our time, and now a very lucrative fight against Anthony Joshua, who is believed to be made for the gypsy king.
Joshua has made clear he is expecting the best Tyson Fury, and is training very hard for the fight.
In Joshua’s favour is the fact Fury would not have fought for 18 months by the time they eventually meet, but Joshua would only have been out for about 7 months- which is normal at this level.
Fury looks like he will be in top shape for this fight, ready to box and fight hard enough to dominate and take all Joshua’s belts in a flash.
The delay in staging the fight is a shame, and the gypsy king really should have fitted a warm up fight to shale off any rust. before facing Joshua.
The risk off losing before Joshua which so much money at stake is seen as too high, but outside of the very best, there simply is no real risk of Fury losing to anyone else in the heavyweight division.
There are no dates or venues yet set for the big fight, with Wembley Stadium being an option, depending on pandemic restrictions at the time.
As for now, Fury’s fans will be looking forward to him becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world this summer, adding the most important scalp on his record, that of Anthony Joshua.
Joshua is training very hard himself to prevent what looks like an inevitable victory for Tyson Fury, apart from the very possible effects of rust from his time out of the ring.