By James Slater: Sky Sports News has reported how unbeaten British heavyweight hope Tyson Fury will take his biggest pro fight to date on April 16th, as he will face former heavyweight ruler Hasim Rahman on the under-card of the Amir Khan-Paul McCloskey card in Manchester.
Fury, still in line to face reigning British heavyweight champ Derek Chisora, will take the risky-looking bout with the faded but still dangerous and hard-hitting Rahman first. Now having worked with Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward for a few months, the tall 22-year-old will make some statement if he can stop “The Rock” – especially as Fury will be facing as experienced a fighter as Rahman so early in his pro career.
Still just 14-0(10) as a paid fighter, Fury’s fight with Rahman will mark only the third time he has met a U.S fighter. For Rahman, 49-7-2(40) the fight will mark his second fight in England.
An intriguing fight, the Fury-Rahman clash will add spice to the April 16th card that will go out on Sky Box Office. Rahman, winner of his last four (all by stoppage, all over limited opposition), could well test his young opponent’s chin in a way it has not been tested before. Still remembered is Rahman’s huge upset KO win over heavyweight king Lennox Lewis. That win took place way back in April of 2001 and now, a full decade later, “Rock” is still fighting, hoping to land one more world title shot. It’s not clear what a win over Fury would do for Rahman, and it is somewhat surprising he has agreed to take this fight.
If Rahman wins, critics will say he beat a still-green youngster who was overrated anyway; if Rahman loses, he will have almost nowhere to go but into retirement – feeling somewhat embarrassed no doubt. Fury, in my opinion, has everything to gain in this fight. A win would certainly move him up at least a few places in the world rankings.
Fury has often said he will be the next world champion. Steward has said his charge will be the next dominant heavyweight. One big right hand from Hasim Rahman could make such boasts look extremely foolish. This is the acid test: for Fury and for his ability to take a shot. For unless he turns up in poor, out of condition shape, Rahman WILL almost certainly land some hard shots on Fury. Rahman will have to take some return fire of course, but can Fury hit hard enough to take the experienced former champ out?
Prediction: Fury boxes and moves and, in out-working the ageing Rahman, wins on points.