By Michael Burnell: Hearing the name is a statement of the family commitment to the sport. Just the name ‘Tyson Fury’ is enough to stimulate the salivary glands of trainers, promoters and fans alike with its impressive swagger. “Fury” would personify the assault of press this fighter has received since he first punched for pay in late ’08. But is he anything more than a big heavyweight with a marketable name?
Boxing DNA certainly is infused within him. Tyson is born of generations of fighters dating back to the time of John L. Sullivan, the last bare knuckle champion and as recently as his father, “Gypsy” John Fury, who tangled with Heavyweight hugger Henry Akinwande.
That bout surely didn’t generate as much excitement in the Fury family as much as the one that began at birth for Fury who was born at an emaciated 1 pound and declared close to death several times. Tyson fought hard, endured and now stands at a towering 6’9” and nearly 270. That in of itself is a success story…
Unfortunately, lineage, bloodline , charisma and marketing can’t make Fury successful. Only Tyson himself can do that. Will he live up to his name in the ring? Only time will tell…
Tyson is likable enough however he has to want it enough for himself to take his time to hone his skills. He had 34 amateur bouts (30-4 26 KO’s) and 13 wins (9 by KO’s) in as many fights as a professional. In the day of rushing the proverbial lamb to the slaughter, he would, like any other heavyweight, be destroyed by either Klitschko brother if they meet any time in within even the distant future. If managed correctly, Fury will be fed a steady diet of fringe top 30 contenders of increasing talent. For now “Del Boy” Chisora, Sultan Ibragimov perhaps Big Shannon Briggs would likely derail the TF express but may be intriguing as Fury works his way closer to top 10.
It would be a shame if Fury were to be rushed for the immediate financial best interest of everyone but the one with his hands taped and cast aside like countless others of fighters who litter the Audobaun to the Heavyweight championship. However, If Tyson Fury is able to live up to his name it will be an interesting saga to follow. Time will tell if he truly is a born fighter.