FATHER-TRAINER PETER FURY: “EXPECT A PERFORMANCE FROM HUGHIE THAT YOU’VE NOT SEEN BEFORE!”
Pure bred fighting man Peter Fury is one of British boxing’s most revered tutors and one of its wisest voices.
Ahead of son Hughie’s eagerly awaited ring return in a heavyweight demolition derby with undefeated Canadian tree-toppler Chris Norrad at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse this Saturday night exclusively live on Channel 5, Papa Peter reveals how he has been converting his artful and evasive son from a dancer to a destroyer.
“It’s a MUST that Hughie shines now and he’s certainly got the ability to do so. Expect a performance from him next weekend that you’ve not seen before.
Coming off a defeat (a 12 round decision to Bulgarian beast Kubrat Pulev in an IBF final eliminator in Sofia last October), it’s imperative that Hughie reminds everybody he’s a real threat within the heavyweight division.
We’re working on being more attractive to the public, as well as winning fights to become a world class fighter.
On May 25th, I expect to see Hughie totally in control, enjoying himself, oozing confidence. Using his boxing to set Chris Norrad up, then getting him out of there, in style. And I know he can do it.
Training world class fighters, sometimes you have to unlock their minds as well as develop them physically. I’ve always maintained that boxing is 90% mental. It takes time to develop genuine confidence. Now Hughie’s a little older and more experienced, hopefully, he’s finally turned that corner. He’s been pro over six years now.
A lot of young heavyweights coming through only have hand-picked opponents before they challenge for titles but that certainly wasn’t the case with Hughie. He never had an easy ride.
His losses have actually been a blessing. He’s benefitted so much; one controversial points loss in a world title fight and another fighting abroad with just one good eye against a monster no one else was prepared to fight.
Even in defeat, we took a lot out of the Pulev fight. Hughie was executing our game plan perfectly until he got a massive, deep, cut late in round two. The skin was flapping so, when the doctor insisted we were on borrowed time, Hughie went ‘all out’. The adrenalin we placed into the cut burnt his fuel taking his body into overdrive but he only had the vision of one eye. After five or six rounds he went totally flat.
Hughie’s the ultimate professional in and out of the ring. In the seven months since Pulev, we’ve been correcting a lot of stuff and now he’s really coming into his own. He’s in fine health, no issues, no excuses. We’re more than ready. I’m happy with everything.
With the heavyweights, we all know you’re just one punch away from disaster. But Hughie possesses all of the tools, is naturally awkward and he’s very, very durable. No heavyweight alive is going to get rid of Hughie Fury quickly. He’s now a very serious player who can give anybody in the division a very hard night.
After this, we’ll be straight back in training, looking to keep busy. Mick (Hennessy, Hughie’s promoter) says Hughie will be out again in September, then put into a serious fight against a big name before the end of the year. He’s gone beyond British level. We’re only interested in European and World titles.
Norrad’s a big heavyweight, who’s always in shape and brings an undefeated record. He’s spars a lot with (Quebec’s 16-1, 15 kayos) Simon Kean so is obviously a very durable guy. He’s not one who’ll be blown away in one or two rounds, that’s for sure. He’s someone who’ll fight back, exactly what we need.
But I see Hughie on another level and once we get this one out the way and he’s off again.”
Hughie Fury: “There’s Gonna Be Fireworks!”
The hugely gifted and ex-undefeated British heavyweight boss Hughie Fury is ready to mount a third assault towards the world title starting this Saturday night, exclusively live on Channel 5.
London, UK (21 May 2019) Polite and humble to a fault, the cousin of gregarious lineal world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has long shown himself to be one of the finest technical talents from these shores, now he intends to show he can also be among the most explosive.
In his eagerly anticipated ring return – following a gallant and gory 12 round points reverse to Bulgarian beast Kubrat Pulev in last October’s IBF final eliminator over in Sofia – the 6ft 6in Manc aims to justify his ‘Fists of Fury’ ring monitor by clattering unbeaten Canadian Chris Norrad when the titans bash beaks at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on May 25th.
‘The win is not the priority. It’s HOW I win. I’m gonna put on an exciting show. This time, like the Sam Sexton fight (a brutal fifth round blow out to bag the British title 12 months ago), there’s gonna be fireworks,’ insists Fury who has previously slaughtered 11 victims inside schedule.
‘For a start, you’ll see a big difference in my physique because we’ve brought (feted strength and conditioning guru) Kerry Kayes on board and I’m much stronger in my body.
‘I never liked sounding my own horn. Fighters can talk as much as you want during the build-up but I’ve always preferred to do my talking on fight night, inside the ring, the only place that matters.
‘In camp, I’ve been working on an improved skillset – varying my work up – and mastering new strategies. You’ll definitely see me moving forward more this fight, rather than running around.’
It’s been some journey since England’s first ever World Youth super-heavy gold medallist (Armenia, 2012) vaulted into the pros as a gangly 18 year old in March 2013. Still only 24, Stockport-born Hughie, the fifth of father-trainer Peter’s six offspring, has already showcased his skills in eight different countries, ruled on the domestic throne and proved competitive on the elite stage.
Both defeats on Fury’s 23 fight slate came at a rarified level – a majority 12 round decision in a close and controversial WBO challenge to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in September 2017 and that cut-compromised loss to Pulev overseas – but his quest to become one of the sport’s youngest ever heavyweight world champions has been blighted by injury (back problems) and illness (a mystifying skin disease which affected his immune system).
‘I’ve had some of the best experiences yet some of the worst luck,’ surmised the Stockport-born stylist.
‘Fighting the national hero Pulev in Bulgaria, out of my comfort zone, provided experience you can’t buy. But since the World Youth’s in Armenia, I’ve always been able to switch off from any hostility.
‘After a cut from sparring re-opened in round two, I couldn’t put my full attention to the fight, couldn’t show what I was capable of.
‘The docs told us beforehand the cut would stick together after stitching so we took a chance but it opened straight away. After that, the game plan went out of the window. I couldn’t see.
‘Initially the ringside doctor said: ‘Just one more round’. Panic set in and I attacked like a maniac. That tired me out. I just didn’t have a proper chance. I’m still confident I’d comfortably out box Kubrat without a cut.’
Earlier this year, Fury abdicated his British crown – ‘been there, nothing more to prove’ – to focus exclusively on replicating his esteemed cousin’s capers on the global stage. Already ranked 14th by the IBF, he knows a destructive display against fellow contender Norrad, 17-0, is sure to court favour with other sanctioning organisations.
‘There’s not an awful lot of footage available on Norrad so it’s a case of seeing what he can do on the night. But he’s never tasted defeat so will arrive with a certain amount of confidence. We’ll have to knock that out of him!’ quips Hughie.
‘It’s always good to perform in your hometown and this has the makings of a great show. I intend putting into practise everything I’ve been working on in the gym.
‘With me it’s always one fight at a time but I crave the biggest fights and I’m not afraid of anybody in the world.
‘A class performance in Manchester will get me back into the mix.’