To a large extent, it must be emphasised that the recent fight between Fury and Cunningham, was highly enjoyable; a fight that showed Tyson’s potential future world title challenge as most likely being an engaging fight but more likely than not, one that he will not win.
The brash Fury is quickly emerging as one of the more colourful characters of boxing, with trash talking, boasts of greatness and some might say bizarre antics, i.e. the singing at the end of the fight. Additionally some argue that this route is not working for the fans, I have to say that these statements are largely untrue. Although Fury perhaps looked like a clown and foolish in these instances, I feel it will only make him more memorable and will enable him to get the bigger paydays. This route has been utilized ever since Ali who became an icon with it, to the more recent and possibly offensive David Haye who managed to shortcut his way to a heavyweight title and fight with Wladmir, without having to take unnecessary punches in normal mandatory matches. Ultimately boxing fans want to be engaged and it is through making yourself distinguishable from the pack that this is possible. It is overwhelmingly obvious for this writer, that it is not just Fury’s name that makes him stand out but it is also these antics, his in ring bravado, his monstrous height and his vulnerabilities.
The fight itself was entertaining, Fury mimicking Ali talking to the opponent and encouraging him in the opening rounds, paid the price when he was brought to the canvas by a looping hook in the second round. It has to be stated this mimicking did not look attractive and neither did Fury’s lack of defence; the lowness of his hands and general arrogance, prompts many to wonder whether Fury would be so game if he were to fight a substantial competitor in the form of a Haye or a Klitschko. In drawing comparisons to Haye vs. W.Klitschko, one has to observe that Haye attempted the same punch numerous amounts of time but with no success. Overall it has to be stated, Fury could perhaps attempt to become a Klitschko clone to erase these issues but his eyes are set on establishing himself as a big money fighter in the States and in the world.
The reckless nature of his fighting continued for a small period after the knockdown but drawing comparisons with Amir Khan; Fury has a granite chin and appears to be calm enough to smother his opponents when hurt. Ultimately his fast and powerful hands soon started to tee off at will with combinations with the clearly smaller Cunningham struggling with range and the shrugging off involved in pushing off the vast weight Fury possessed in the clinch. The knockout if perhaps illegal in dragging the guard away and then hitting Cunningham was still nothing short of spectacular and was the always inevitable conclusion once Fury took control.
Fury himself acknowledges he is not the finished article but currently, he seems to be ahead of Price and Wilder, in terms of competition, experience and skills. The fight that seems most appropriate would be against Haye or Chisora again, in terms of laying down a marker where Fury is against the Klitschkos. Nevertheless it seems apparent that against these fighters, that Fury will have to tighten up his relaxed guard and fully utilise his natural height. However if Fury chooses not to, it seems obvious that the fight will be entertaining and perhaps result in the same way as this fight, where it appears the difficulty that befall smaller fighters against these giants is overwhelming.
The fight against a Klitschko if it were to ever materialise, would most likely result in a loss for Fury if he does not learn from his mistakes but the beauty of boxing is in its unpredictability. The height, weight, speed and power of the man with his iron chin combined with the Klitschkos’ age could highlight a potential new king to the throne that could rejuvenate boxing to an entertaining and unpredictable route. All I want to say is, thank you Tyson Fury, the sport is always welcome to those who can and want to stand out.
