Fury could have fought Toney or Audley Harrison; instead fights Firtha

By Boxing News - 09/03/2011 - Comments

Image: Fury could have fought Toney or Audley Harrison; instead fights FirthaBy William Mackay: You really have to question the wisdom of the matchmaking made for British and Commonwealth champion Tyson Fury’s next fight on September 17th in Ireland. Coming off an impressive victory over Dereck Chisora last July where Fury gained a lot notoriety worldwide, the thing to do would be at least to keep the momentum going by taking on an opponent that at minimum is well known if not dangerous.

Fury could have fought James Toney (73-6-3, 44 KO’s) or Audley Harrison (27-5, 20 KO’s) next, as both fighters were very interested in fighting him. A fight against either one of these guys would have attracted a huge amount of attention and kept Fury moving forward.

Instead, little known journeyman Nicolai Firtha (20-8-1, 8 KO’s) will reportedly be facing Fury on the 17th at the King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Firtha’s claim to fame is that he was knocked out in the 6th round of a totally one-sided loss to Tye Fields in June 2009. He was badly hurt in that fight. Firtha was also beaten by Neven Pajkick, Manuel Quezada, Alexander Povetkin, and Franklin Lawrence among others. He’s big at 6’6″, but can’t punch and has no hand speed.

If this is the guy that Fury faces next, it makes you wonder if Fury’s management are afraid to put him in with guys that can fight a little. I think it’s a bad choice. Fury would get a lot more in a fight with Toney or Harrison than this guy. Those fighters would make it interesting even in losing. Firtha is a stationary fighter without the speed, slickness, power or the skills to compete.

I can understand this fight if Fury just lost, but not after a victory over a fringe world level contender like Chisora. It’s a fight that just doesn’t make sense. Is Fury rewarded for that fight by giving him this easy one? If so, why? It doesn’t make sense.



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