by James Slater – Tonight, in Birmingham, UK, 20-year-old heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury made it four out of four with a stoppage over tough veteran Lee Swaby. Forcing the 32-year-old’s corner to pull their man out at the end of a punishing 4th round, Fury won his first meaningful pro bout. Now 4-0(4), the towering 6’9″ giant can look ahead to his US debut, planned as it is for April 25th on the under-card of the Froch-Taylor clash. Swaby, as game as they come, fell to 23-23-2(11).
Coming into the ring wearing a robe, as opposed to his usual Mike Tyson-esque no-robe entrance, the 20-year-old drew much applause. This continued as the action got underway. Holding his hands higher than he did in his last fight last month, Fury met an aggressive Swaby as soon as the bell rang. The 32-year-old said he’d test Fury’s chin and he did try to do so. Fury jabbed well, although Swaby did get through with a grazing left hand to the head. Fury worked the older man’s body well, winning a high paced, pleasing round of action.
Fury caught an advancing Swaby at the start of the 2nd, and the tough vet really had to take some hard blows. More sickening body work scored for the prospect, and another decent left head shot was landed by Swaby. In a round in which Fury will have learnt more than in his previous three bouts, the action was hard and fast. Fury again 10-9.
Swaby was showing his gameness in the 3rd, but Fury was staring to really work his man over. Yet more body shots whipped home from the man named after the former heavyweight king, and Swaby was really earning his wages. One tough, yet fading force, the veteran was taking some punishment.
The action was good again in the 4th, if one-sided. Swaby, under fierce force from a man who was desperate to score the stoppage, tried his best to counter, but was just out-gunned. Fury has fast hands for such a big guy, and he was using both of them to good effect, both to the body and to the head. Looking a little marked up, Swaby was taking a beating.
Seeing this, his corner-man Richard Poxen signalled to the referee that enough was enough. Swaby gave it his best shot, but Fury would not be denied.
Keeping to his schedule of one fight a month, Fury certainly is keeping his word of staying active. Now, after having found a British rival that was willing to step in there with him, the young hotshot is headed to America. It will be interesting to see how he fares in his US debut, but if he puts on a show like he did last night it’s likely Fury will be received well.