Tyson Fury fails to impress in win over Cunningham

By Boxing News - 04/22/2013 - Comments

fury11By Tom Drury: I have followed boxing all my life from amateur bouts to the pro level. In my opinion boxing is the sport of all sports and the men that participate are lions, fearless competitors and athletes of the highest order. I have many personal favorites; Floyd “Money” Mayweather is my all time favorite, closely followed by “Sugar” Ray Robinson.

Other favorites of mine include Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Iron” Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Andre Ward, Bernard Hopkins, Carl Froch, Muhammad Ali, Adrien Broner, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Edwin Valero, Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko and the great Cuban amateur legend Felix Savon.

Sadly over recent years I have been reluctant to view heavyweight boxing. After watching the Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham bout last Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden theater in New York, I feel that decision is justified. Tyson Fury the Irish heavyweight contender put on a circus act, quite frankly in my opinion lowering the standards and tone of the sport we love and follow.

I caught some action of the final press conference in New York and was amazed to hear Fury talking about being the greatest fighter on the planet. I got to give it to him; this guy has got some front. Before I continue, I picked Fury to win the bout on size alone and that is how it turned out, but not without trouble though from the smaller but more talented Steve Cunningham. Fury was chanting and taunting his opponent in the first round. Cunningham then dropped Fury in the second with a looping right hand. Fury was eating right hands all night if that was a genuine heavyweight Fury would not have made it out of round two.

After Fury had been dropped it seemed to quiet him somewhat. I have to say the worst performance of the night was without question the referee. Fury was constantly leaning on Cunningham sapping any energy Cunningham could muster and the knockout blow was to say the least “illegal” (holding & hitting). Cunningham did his self justice and there is no question if he was 2 inches taller and 50lbs heavier, Fury would not have been doing his victory dance. Cunningham was throwing accurate shots and countering Fury’s jab to perfection, showing superior movement and boxing skills.

Fury was entertaining in all the wrong ways. Never have I as a fan felt so insulted by watching a heavyweight in Fury’s shape and condition. The last time was when the overweight Cuban Odlanier Solis entered the ring against Vitali Klitschko. The one same trait all of my personal favorite fighters mentioned in the first part of this article have in common is there undeniable athletic physiques complimented by first class conditioning. Fury on the other hand looks like he spends his free time eating fast food and drinking alcohol. His technique is that of a pub fighter, his legs have resemblance to a flamingo and he has no pop on his punches and this guy is been touted as the next big thing in heavyweight boxing by his UK promoter Mick Hennessy. If this is what heavyweight boxing has become it is fair to say the sanctioning bodies should eradicate the weight class.

Before fans jump to conclusions that I am a “hater,” you would be wrong to think such a thing. I always give credit where due. Tyson Fury will not be receiving that credit. Fury is said to be fighting #1 IBF contender Kubrat Pulev next in a final eliminator with the victor landing the big time match up with Wladimir Klitschko. Wladimir is a fantastic heavyweight but a victim of circumstance and era. There is no talent surrounding him.

Wladimir should not fight Fury. My thinking behind this is why should a man that clearly lacks dedication and walks round the ring “fat” and out of shape be rewarded with the biggest payday of his life? Anybody with the slightest knowledge of boxing knows Fury isn’t good enough to lace Wladimir’s boots.

Fury should be made to fight David Haye (UK). I say this because no doubt Fury is a lot bigger and the fight may turn out like his most recent against Cunningham but if Haye tags him like Cunningham did Fury would not get up. Haye is not a genuine heavyweight and cannot compete with the likes of Wladimir because of Wladimir’s skill level. What Haye does have is genuine devastating knockout power and Fury does not have the skill or discipline to keep Haye away from landing in a fight. Deontay Wilder is another option Fury will not take. Wilder would render Fury unconscious and end all hope of Fury and his promoter landing that payday there so desperate to land.



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