By Ronnie Jordan: People are starting to recognize a few Heavyweights emerging in the UK as possible contenders.
David Haye has given us hope at world level but with his decision to retire at 32 the Brits will be looking elsewhere for someone to fly the flag. My question is do any of them have what it takes to succeed at the top?
Derek Chisora has beaten a few decent fighters and looks solid if not spectacular. I’m guessing he’ll make a good European champ and maybe get a title shot but will most likely lose. He reminds me of Chris Areola with his good power but lacks the skill and speed to beat anyone good. The same goes for Sam Sexton who is more talented than Chisora but still isn’t quite good enough. Although he seems to be improving with every fight he’s a little one dimensional and too easy to hit.
Then we have Tyson Fury who is probably the most talked about due to his unflinching confidence and unusual personality. Looking at his fighting ability, he seems to have some talent. He showed flashes of skill against John McDermott but looked clumsy and out of shape for the most part. Watching the pre fight press conference, McDermott sounded like he’d been training like Rocky Balboa for this fight. He claimed “I’ve been to hell and back in the gym to give me the best chance possible”.
This was quickly undermined when he took his top for the head to head photos to reveal his roles of flab. If anything, he looked in worse shape. It could have been any clinically obese lorry driver rolling in from the local pub. It was comical! This can almost be forgiven as know body expects McDermott to progress onto world level. Fury, on the other hand, who weighed in at a career high of 19 stone 4″ and still sporting the love handles and soft torso talks of being world champ. His lack of preparation showed in his performance and if he thinks he can make it to the top training for a few weeks before fights and sparring with his family then he’s a fool. On that showing any decent heavyweight in the top 20 would wipe the floor with him.
Also on the bill were three other heavyweight prospects, David Price, Larry Olubimiwo and Tom Dallas. For me, Price is the only one with the potential to fight above European level. The other two have great power but they can’t box, especially Larry, who looks amateurish. Price hasn’t faced a decent opponent yet. He’s KO’d his last 5 without landing 5 shots (that may be a record). For some reason, he’s been put in with men who go down from the wind Price generates from missing hooks.
I’m sure there must be someone in the country that can last a few rounds with him. This reluctance to let him fight credible opponents lead most to believe his suspect chin is more than just rumors. Unlike Fury, however, he does look in good shape and seems to be taking boxing seriously. If he gets the right training and starts fighting better opponents he has a chance. Fury has a chance if he commits himself 100% to the sport. He has to start some serious circuit training to tone that body and some proper schooling ideally from an American trainer like Freddie Roach or Emanuel Stewart. Whether they would give him there time is another thing altogether.
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