By James Slater: Talk about a battle of the ages! According to the web site of U.K trade paper Boxing News, there are strong suggestions that say unbeaten British heavyweight hope Tyson Fury will fight none other than Antonio Tarver in April. B.N’s Danny Flexen writes that whilst in Las Vegas recently, he spoke with Fury’s trainer Emanuel Steward, and the Hall of Famer told the writer that the fight was close enough for him to have started looking for sparring partners able to emulate the former light-heavyweight king’s style.
Steward also reportedly told his charge that “you won’t get a better fighter than that, against a big name that can’t beat you – you have the speed, power size and youth.”
The date being mentioned as “strong” for the Fury-Tarver clash is April 16th, on the under-card of Amir Khan’s WBA 140-pound title defence against Paul McCloskey. If the fight – which would see a 22-year-old going up against a 42-year-old – happens, it will likely grab as many headlines, or close, as the main event.
Fans do seem to enjoy these type of match-ups, and though a risky fight for both men, a win would make some noise – especially in Fury’s case. But is the still-learning prospect really ready for as experienced and as accomplished a fighter as “The Magic Man?”
For even though Tarver has had just one fight (a lacklustre points win) at heavyweight, he remains fast, skilful and durable; and of course, he is a southpaw to boot. Tarver may not have looked great in his heavyweight debut last October, but the former champ said he would adjust further to his new weight class in his next fight. This next fight could come against the 6’9” Fury!
It may be easy for some fans to envisage the far from shot Tarver giving the sometimes clumsy Brit a boxing lesson on his way to a wide points win. It may be easy for yet other fans to picture the younger, stronger man proving way too aggressive and hungry for the veteran, as he either pounds out a decision win or a late stoppage.
Personally, I would be somewhat shocked to see Tarver take this fight – the risks far outweigh the rewards for him. But I’m sure Fury would take the fight in a shot. Emanuel Steward certainly feels his newest heavyweight will win.