By James Slater: Tonight in Somerset, U.K, unbeaten 24-year-old heavyweight contender Tyson Fury put on a faultless display in hammering out a 5th-round TKO over the always-game Vinny Maddalone. The heavily-hyped 6’9” Fury hit an advancing, brave Maddalone with every shot in the book, finally prompting the referee, Ian John-Lewis to dive in in the 5th.
The official time was one minute and 35-seconds of the 5th-round and Fury is now 19-0(14). 38-year-old Maddalone, who may now look at retirement, is now 35-8(26).
From the outset, Fury used his fast reflexes and his crisp left jab against the aggressive New Yorker, landing right hands off the jab. Maddalone tried to land his best punch, the overhand right, but Fury was just too quick for him. The visiting fighter was shocked by Fury’s speed and power in the opening session and his face was reddened.
The 2nd saw more good, long boxing from Fury, yet he unfortunately and tastelessly felt the need to showboat; teasing with the right hand. More crisp jabs caught Maddalone, as well as a right uppercut to the head. Already, it looked like a brutal night for the tough man from Queens, who could not get inside..
Fury attacked the body in the 3rd, before landing yet another combo to the head. Brave Vinny was taking some serious shots, perhaps taking the worst beating of his career to date – yet still he kept coming. Fury landed a sharp left to the midsection to punctuate the session.
The 4th saw Fury working with both hands yet again and landing with both weapons. Maddalone was swinging for the fences, yet he couldn’t get anything home. Sharp combos crashed home to the older man’s head and body and then Fury landed a really big right to the head. Maddalone was now cut underneath the left eye and the end looked near.
It was all Fury again in the 5th, and he briefly turned southpaw. Back to orthodox, Fury landed a hard right uppercut, followed by a left uppercut and a left hook – prompting John-Lewis to dive in.
What next for Fury? Promoter Mick Hennessey said his fighter will be back in November, and that he will take a step up. Fury himself says he is “ready for anyone.” “Bring on the Klitschkos,” he said.
Those big fights may still be a number of months away, but the way he looked tonight, Fury could well be one of the best heavyweight contenders out there.