by James Slater – Last night, fans in Huddersfield, Yorkshire got to see heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury’s return to the ring; a return to action that had followed an inactive spell of almost six months. Unfortunately for those fans who had paid to see the fight live and for those who watched the fight on T.V, Fury once again won in almost embarrassingly easy fashion.
36-year-old German fighter Hans-Joerg Blasko entered the ring with a modest 9-3(6) pro record, and after two minutes and 14-seconds with 21-year-old Fury he had another defeat added to his stats; last night’s stoppage loss marking the fourth time the approx 245-pounder has been halted. Fury, who really could’ve done with a sterner test, improved to 10-0(8)..
For a minute or so, it actually looked as though the fight might turn out to be interesting. Looking in decent shape, Blasko managed to get home with a couple of right hands to the head, while he also let loose with a couple of left uppercuts. Fury, though, barely blinked and soon had the visitor in trouble courtesy of a right hand to the temple area. Hurt and wobbled, Blasko did well to stay upright. But not for long.
A left hand to the body caught the German and some cuffing shots to the head sent him down. Blasko got back up, but he was soon bundled over for a second time, at which point referee Steve Gray called a halt to the proceedings.
Afterwards, while being interviewed by Sky Sports, Fury admitted he had been caught with a couple of shots, saying he should not get hit at all by the type of opposition he was in with. In truth, it was almost impossible to see if or how much Fury has improved under the now five or so months he has had of new trainer Brian Hughes’ tutelage. Fury’s left jab looked stiff as usual, but other than that, the “fight” was over with so quickly it told us nothing.
Next up for the 6’7″ prospect is a return match with the only man to have severely tested him at pro level thus far; John McDermott. Finally, after what will have been eight months, the two will meet for a second time on May 22nd – in the BBBof C-ordered rematch of what was seen as one of the worst decisions of last year (in a British ring, anyway). Can Fury, who was given a wide points win last September, which many felt was undeserved, get the job done in style against “Big Bad John” this time around?
What is certain is the fact that no way will the former British heavyweight title challenger be bowled over as easily as Blasko was last night. May 22nd will see Fury’s second real test!