Tyson Fury next opponent confirmed – Boxing News

By Kevin Wrigley: Tyson Fury (13-0, KO 9) is set to face Francois Botha (47-5) on the 2nd February. This fight may end up overshadowing the rematch between John O’Donnel and Craig Watson for the vacant British title. As boxing fans no doubt know on the other side of the pond Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire will be clashing in a super fight which determines the king of the Bantamweights.

However boxing fans would be wise to keep an eye on Tyson Fury. As well as a height of 6 foot 9 and a youthful prospect at 22 he also has the trainer of heavyweight king in his corner, Emmanuel Steward. While Fury is not a boxer who has a ‘beautiful body’ his weight has fluctuated from 247 to 270 pounds in just under a year. You would hope a thoroughly professional trainer like Emmanuel Steward will work on this and make him enter the ring across from Botha weighing in at under 255 or so pounds (2 months before this fight he entered the ring at 268 against Zack Page).

Tyson Fury first appeared on ITV4 to British audiences and he had no problem transferring his skills from the amateur game to the much more tough pro circuit. While not exactly facing A level opposition he was facing guys with winning records and some guys who had reputations as punchers. His quick progress through the ranks came to a screeching halt when he won a contentious decision against John MccDermott and was awarded the English heavyweight title. He looked very sloppy and uncoordinated which was ironic as he came in at his lightest weight yet. In a rematch he worked his jab well, stopping MccDermott in the 9th. Since then he has won on points against undefeated Rich Powers (12-0) and Zack Page, going 8 rounds both times.

If you remember Francois Both it will not be for anything he has done in the past 6-7 years. You may remember him from getting blown out inside 2 rounds by Lennox Lewis. You may remember him from beating Tyson on points under Iron Mike left him starched on the floor with a massive right hand. You may even remember him from beating Evander Holyfield last year until the Real Deal caught up to him with a volley of punches. His best result on paper was his draw with Shannon Briggs and his win (subsequently turned into a NC after he failed a steroid test) over Axel Schultz but they were both more than a decade ago.

While he looked good in spurts against Evander Holyfield you need to remember he was fighting someone else in there 40’s. At 22 Botha is 2 decades older than Fury and that could be the telling factor. You would hope Fury will use his 7 inch advantage and work behind a jab. Botha could force this to the distance but that’s all you can expect of him at this stage of his career. Personally I believe Fury will have enough to stop him inside of the scheduled 10 from a number of unanswered blows. Botha knows a big win could get him one last payday so hopefully he will come in at good shape. It shouldn’t be enough and expect Fury to stop him late when Botha gasses.

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