By Nick Toft: For some it was just a pointless exercise against an aging heavy bag. For me it was worse than a sparring session and Tyson Fury can’t of learned a great deal against his over the hill and gun shy opponent.
In no less than five rounds the 6′ 9″ Manchester heavyweight dealt with the challenge that was Vinny Maddalone in clinical fashion.
To Fury’s credit he looked sharp and in top condition, reducing his 38-year-old opponent to looking like an unskilled labourer but what else would you expect?
Ok maybe I’m being a bit harsh, yes New Yorker Maddalone maybe closer to retirement than a world title shot, but let’s not forget this is the same man that previously took Russian prospect Denis Boytsov and recent Klitschko challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck the distance, both over eight rounds.
So what did we learn about Fury’s latest workout?
We saw a man that is finally starting to look like a proper athlete and is becoming more conditioned with every passing bout.
He can also work well behind an impressive jab and land fast combinations on immobile targets.
So make no mistake: Fury is a serious contender in the heavyweight division, and at just 24 has time on his side but he needs to step it up.
It’s easy to forget for someone still so young he has been in with the likes of John McDermott (twice), Dereck Chisora and Martin Rogan, all seasoned performers and came out on top, but after the annihilation of Maddalone we now need to see Fury try to truly cut it as a world stage performer. We need to see him tested at the next level.
For example we still have question marks over his chin? Does he have a heart of fighter in those championship rounds? Those are the questions that still need asking and we will only get the answers if the level of opposition increases.
With the adrenalin still pumping from his latest victory, Fury was in confident manner as he told Channel Five viewers, “I’m still undefeated. I would like to say I’m ready for anyone in the world. Klitschkos – bring them on. Americans – bring them on. Bring on Tomasz Adamek. He’s too small for me and I see an early win for me.” Not for me though, it is far too early and he doesn’t have the skills.
However, there is one man he didn’t name in that interview who would be an excellent fight. David Price.
This is a name that will not go away until Fury fights him. Some would say Price, 29, is the superior heavyweight in the UK and ahead of Fury in the pecking order to fight one of the Klitschko brothers but I want to see the two go toe to toe in a UK showdown before the K2 brothers are even thought about.
Fury vacating his British title to avoid a domestic super fight with Price, 13-0 (11), perhaps tells you everything you need to know how Fury felt in squaring up to the Liverpool fighter but maybe this lack of a match up was more to do with the Sky and Five contracts that both fighters held. Now that Sky has cut ties with Frank Maloney maybe this fight can be made.
It’s highly unlikely Fury’s next fight will be against a Klitschko, but you feel he does need a marquee fight next to maintain his growing interest and underline his championship qualities. This man could be…….. and should be David Price, lets hope it happens.
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