By John F. McKenna (McJack): Up and coming undefeated heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s) is a long way from being able to challenge the dominance of the Klitschko’s for supremacy in the heavyweight division. You might call him a work in progress, realizing that at 24 he still has a lot of maturing to do as a fighter. Tyson at least realizes that he is not yet ready to challenge the Klitschko’s.
At 6’9 and approximately 250 pounds Fury does have his massive size going for him. He also has a flair for building up excitement for his fights which has been borne out by the high ratings his fights draw on TV. Tyson has also been controversial at times. His recent rant against British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price (14-0, 12 KO’s) after Price KO’d Audley Harrison was more than likely an attempt to steel some of David’s thunder after his impressive showing.
It is true that Fury received much unfavorable publicity over his rant against Price. But negative publicity for a fighter is not always a bad thing as former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (26-2, 24 KO’s) has demonstrated time and again. The bad boys of boxing are often able to draw the largest crowds and it has been that way since time immemorial.
In addition to having a decent jab, Fury has a fair right hand. When a fighter who is 6’9” has a decent jab and a right hand to go with it, he can go a long way in boxing. Fury is far from a polished fighter and there is much to be done before he will become a finished product. Part of Tyson’s problem thus far has been to put it bluntly a lack of self discipline. While 250 pounds is probably the optimum weight for Fury, he has gone into the ring weighing as much as 270 pounds.
What has made the Klitschko’s so successful has been the self discipline they carry with them, even between fights. They never allow themselves to get out of shape. And while they have received much criticism from some corners for being boring, the fact is they pay close attention to detail and very rarely get hit with flush shots.
Thus far Tyson Fury has been able to defeat the opponents he has faced by using his size and brute strength. He will not succeed in attempting to use those tactics as he progresses up to face the top echelon fighters in the heavyweight division.
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