By John F. McKenna (McJack): Upcoming heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury (15-0, 10 KO’s) from Manchester, England faces American Nicolai Firtha (20-8, 8 KO’s) tonight in Belfast, Ireland. Fury, who turned 23 in August, is hoping the fight with Firtha will take him another step closer to a championship fight with one of the Klitschko’s.
Both fighters are in the super heavyweight range in size. Fury is 6’9” and weighed in at 253 pounds for tonight’s match up, while Firtha at 6’6” hit the scales at 247 ¾ pounds.
Fury is charismatic, outspoken and at 6’9” has an intimidating presence in the ring. He possesses a good jab, a decent uppercut, is patient and exhibits good ring generalship. Tyson has already demonstrated that he is a huge draw in his native England. After David Haye’s disappointing performance against Wladimir Klitschko in July British fans are looking for another home grown heavyweight they can get excited about.
Fury is on track for a title shot if he sticks to his winning weighs. Both he and his promoter Mick Hennesey have said that they think Fury will be the fighter to end the Klitschko’s long domination of the heavyweight division. Tyson is fresh off a victory over Derek Chisora in July.
Fury is urging his fellow countryman David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) who lost his World Boxing Association (WBA) championship belt to Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) in July, to retire. Haye has long said that he would retire before his 31st birthday in October. Recently however Haye has said that he would extend his retirement date for six months if he were able to get another title shot. In the past couple of weeks Haye has been trading verbal barbs with World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Vitali Klitshcko (43-2, 40 KO’s) who makes no secret of his desire to take on Haye so that he can knock him out.
Tyson was quoted in the Daily Mirror saying:
“I think David Haye should stay quiet. There is not room in this country for two big heavyweights.
“I’ve got more of a chance of fighting Klitschko next than he has. There is no interest in Haye anymore, He had his chance and he blew it.”
Pretty bold words for the British upstart. He will undoubtedly bring some much needed excitement to the heavyweight division.
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