By Shaun Murphy
Tyson Fury starts 2019 a favourite with British boxing fans after his performance against WBC champion, Deontey Wilder. Frank Warren, who promotes the gypsy king has gone as far as saying Fury is now a bigger draw than fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
Fury won many admirers after performing better than expected against American Wilder, who was expected to emerge the winner of their December world title contest, but nearly lost the fight which could have gone the other way with a bit less luck on the night. It is unclear whether Wilder had a bad night, or Fury is just much better than he is given credit for. After beating Wladimir Klitschko on points in 2015, and performing so well against Wilder, nobody can underestimate the gypsy king ever again. He is so mobile, awkward, and technically a very clever boxer in the ring.
Most casual boxing fans believe Tyson Fury will beat both Anthony Joshua and Deontey Wilder, and his latest performance in Los Angeles proves this. Fury was beating Wilder to the punch in so many of the rounds that it is difficult to picture Wilder doing anything differently in the rematch against a man of Fury’s size , mobility, and boxing skills. I am already aware that some members of this media outlet have already been closely examining a number of Fury’s past demeanour’s and worried he would make a poor role model if he were to become world champion again.
That bad boy image and crude language similar to that of Mike Tyson is normal for boxers as wild as Fury, but some members of the politically correct and reformist team of this intriguing outlet are bent on making sure Fury behaves, with some unfortunately in my view, hoping he fails. Fury is a winner as far as the record books show, and most boxing fans spoken to since his fight last month have been full of praise and encouraging words for him. Her must alter his behaviour if he wants to be a dignified champion, not just a respected one.
Fury is a character of sorts, with a great heart and strange level of confidence that has so far left him never on the loosing side whomever he fights.If a rematch with Wilder is agreed, it will be the test and challenge of Wilder’s career. Fury will be coming to win, unconcerned of a man three stones lighter than him who is also not as quick or tricky as him. Wilder’s danger punch will always be his asset, but the knockdown in the 12th round may easily not have come in another fight, and Fury will even be more confident and experienced next time round.
Fury’s return from mental health issues was the defining point of the unbeaten gypsy man’s come back. After Joshua’s team deliberated for so long about with a £50m offer dangled before him, Fury has become the face of courage and performance for British heavyweight boxing. He stepped up to the challenge and came so close to taking Wilder’s belt in his own backyard that even his worst critics and haters must now respect him.
Most observers believe Fury deserved the decision, some disagree. Wilder will need to be his career best for the rematch, which Fury may this time be favourite to win. Anything less than Wilder’s best will result in a humiliating defeat, probably on points.
Frank Warren told BBC Sport that:”He’s the people’s champion,” Warren told BBC Sport.
“I think he’s now a bigger attraction than Anthony Joshua.” Warren is not wrong. Fury got up from that serious knockdown and continued fighting, whilst Joshua wouldn’t even step into the ring. Joshua and Hearns these days seem to be begging for the Wilder fight after witnessing Fury make the hard hitting American look more ordinary than previously thought. Fury would make a remarkable champion, but there are concerning aspects of his character than would need to change if he is to be any type of role model as a champion.
“There’s no corporate element with him. You don’t have to go through 100 people. You just pick the phone up. He walks down the street and he hasn’t got an entourage of minders,” said Warren.
“Whoever he fights next, if Tyson Fury fights in this country, it is going to be a sell-out, wherever he fights.
“At the moment I’m talking with Shelly Finkel, who looks after Wilder, and we are trying to get the rematch together. A rematch between Tyson Fury and Wilder will be one of the biggest heavyweight fights in a long time, and Wilder needs to take his time and prepare well for that fight because I think Fury will beat him convincingly this time. Wilder will make it a great show by trying to defend his title, but Fury now believes he can do it and will be itching for it.