Unbeaten heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury has launched another scathing attack on his British rivals ahead of his fourth pro fight in Birmingham this weekend.
Fury who has enjoyed a hat trick of stoppage wins since turning pro late last year features on Saturday night’s Hennessy Sports event which is live on ITV4. Top of the bill at the Aston Arena sees Wayne Elcock defend his British Middleweight title against local rival Matthew Macklin.
Fury though is already looking to the future and the possibility of renewing rivalries with one time amateur foe David Price. The Liverpudlian won a Bronze medal in last years Olympics but Fury believes that he’s destined for failure in the pro game. Price is set to make his pro bow later this month but former amateur rival Fury says he’s wasting his time.
“How can you have any chance in the pros as a heavyweight if you don’t have a chin?” questioned the outspoken 20-year-old. “Every time you hit him he’s on the floor and that was in the amateurs, imagine what he’s going to be like in the pro’s with no headguard and smaller gloves.
“I fought him when I was 17 and had just 10 amateur bouts total,” recalled Fury. “He was a double ABA champ and Commonwealth Gold medallist at the time. I put him down in the second round with an overhand right and it wasn’t even that good a shot. He got up and held on for dear life for the rest of the fight and got it on points.
“I sparred him after that and had him in all kinds of trouble straight away. They stopped the spar after a minute and they never let me spar him again. I believe that he was their golden boy and the amateurs were protecting him for the Olympics but it meant I didn’t get a fair crack at qualifying.”
Fury though believes that having got a head start on Price in the professional ranks their paths are unlikely to cross again. “The pros is a different ball game. In the amateurs he only had to avoid getting tagged on the chin for 4 two minute rounds and he couldn’t even manage that a lot of the time.
“In the pros the rounds are longer and the distances are longer so he’s no chance. I’d love to fight him because it’d be lights out as soon as I hit him but he won’t get as far as a fight with me, someone else will spark him out before then. He’s going to find out pretty quick that a decent chin is a lot more useful than a bronze medal in the pros.”
Alongside Fury the undercard for “The Battle of Brum” at the Aston Arena features Adnan Amar defending his English Welterweight title against Tom Glover. Also in action are Chris Male, Quinton Hillocks and Callum Archer. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.
SETANTA SPORTS NEWS PRESS RELEASE
Fans vote for Setanta Sports News’ boxing awards
After a successful first year on Setanta Sports News, the Steve Bunce Boxing Hour is launching ‘the Bunceys’ – its very own awards that every boxer will want a shot at.
Every champion, contender and promoter that has hit headlines over the past 12 months has been on the show. There have been exclusive interviews with ring legends from both sides of the Atlantic including Chris Eubank, Don King, Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Junior.
The Bunceys will honour the boxers that have had a truly knock-out year. Buncey will pick the winners in the following categories: best guest, best finish in a Setanta fight and most outrageous statement made on the show, while the ‘Fight of the Year’ gong will be voted for by show’s the viewers.
To vote for their ‘Fight of the Year’ boxing fans have to pick the most memorable bout from any of the fights broadcast on Setanta Sports between April 24 2008 and April 5 2009.
The contenders for ‘Fight of the Year’ include Joe Calzaghe’s demolition of Roy Jones Junior, David Haye’s heavyweight debut against Monte Barrett and Vitali Klitschko’s comeback defeat of Samuel Peter. A full list will be posted on www.setanta.com.
Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Ricky Hatton, James DeGale and Carl Froch will fight it out for the ‘Boxer of the Year’ title, which will be voted for by leading industry figures including promoters, officials, matchmakers and journalists.
Setanta Sports News’ Steve Bunce said:
“From the start the show has been about generating discussion. Fans and boxers alike have used the show as a platform to have their say. I’m sure people will have a lot to say about the eventual winners of these awards.”
Setanta Sports News editor in chief Geoff Hill said:
“The Steve Bunce Boxing Hour is one of our most popular programmes because it offers a service like no other. Viewers know that by tuning into Steve they’ll get all the fight news, regardless of who the broadcaster is.
“The Bunceys is another great way to interact with our legions of fans and get them involved in what we’re doing.”
To register their vote for ‘Fight of the Year’ viewers should email views@setanta.com. The winner of the award will be revealed in an special awards programme on Thursday 23 April.
Valuev: “I want Chagaev next”
WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev is eager to fight “champion in recess” Ruslan Chagaev as soon as possible to finally clear the confusion surrounding the belts. After twice pulling out of a meeting with the Russian Giant, the Universum fighter had been named “champion in recess” last summer. Valuev went on to capture the vacant title by defeating John Ruiz in Berlin before making a successful defence against Evander Holyfield in December. Even though the WBA ordered Valuev to defend against Chagaev on the latter´s return from injury to determine the unified champion, Chagaev requested a special permit from the WBA to fight Carl Davis Drumond instead. The special permit was granted, and Chagaev won, leaving the WBA with a “champion” as well as a rather active “champion in recess”. “Enough is enough,” Valuev said. “All this confusion has to end. There is just one way to determine the true champion and that is by meeting in the ring. I want to show the boxing world that I am the true WBA heavyweight champion. And I want to avenge the only loss of my career. I want to take on Chagaev as soon as possible.”
To settle the score, Valuev is willing to skip a potential voluntary defence. Said Sauerland Event General Manager Chris Meyer: “Instead of making another voluntary defence, Nikolai wants to fight Chagaev as soon as possible. We have therefore submitted a formal request to the WBA asking for the negotiations between the two camps to begin immediately. If a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, a purse bid should be scheduled by the end of March. We have proposed that the fight will be eventually staged by the end of June.”
Meyer emphasised that Valuev will be forgoing a large sum of money which he could have made in a title defence. “Nikolai is fed up with the situation and wants to show that he is the one and only champion,” Meyer added. “Our request is in the best interest of all boxing fans. We hope it will be granted.”
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