By Craig Daly: Promoter Frank Warren put Tyson Fury at the same level as the late great Muhammad Ali today, saying he’s the most entertaining heavyweight and the most fun.
Warren is promoting Fury’s next fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou on October 28th on TNT Sports PPV & ESPN+ PPV from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fans would argue against Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) being anywhere near the level of Ali, as Tyson’s game is one-dimensional, involving a lot of holding, leaning & grizzly bear-like mauling.
How Fury wins fights:
- Holding
- Leaning: putting all his 270-lb weight
- Grappling
- Jabbing
Muhammad Alli was a much better fighter and far more eye-pleasing to watch than Fury. Even when Ali got old, he was still more fun to watch than Fury.
Fury is what he is. He’s a mauler, who will succeed against stationary fighters, but will struggle against guys that can move.
That’s obviously why Fury wants no part of fighting IBF, WBA & WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk because he won’t stand there and be leaned on. Deontay Wilder lost twice to Fury because was station and easy prey to be grabbed & mauled.
“Tyson Fury is the most entertaining, most best fun as a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali,” said Frank Warren during today’s press conference. “Unbelievable. Wherever he goes, he brings excitement and people.
“Last year, we did two shows in the UK jointly with Bob [Arum against Dereck Chisora & Dillian Whyte]. Both of those shows sold out. They broke the box office record at Wembley. We sold out the Spurs on December 8th; freezing cold, not like the weather today.
We sold out. Why? Because of Tyson Fury. Why is he in Riyadh? Why is he opening this Riyadh festival? Because it is him. He is Tyson Fury. He is the best in the world. The most well known boxer at the moment. There’s no doubt about that.
“This man here [Ngannou] is going to try and take his head off I don’t know if you will, but he’s going to try. So this is going to be. I see this fight really simple. Everyone thinks Tyson is just a boxer, and Francis is a big puncher.
“Tyson, if you saw his last few fights, he goes into the trenches, and if he goes down, he gets up. No one is like him. No one I’ve been involved with in boxing is like him.
“Magnificent chin, but more importantly, a big heart. So, don’t think someone is going to be piddling around with you. You’re going to be in a fight, a big, big fight. Fire is going to meet fire. That’s what it’s going to be.
“We believe in your achievements. What you’re doing is brilliant. So, step and step in a boxing ring. Take my hat off to you. Everyone takes their hat off to you. You’re a big man. We know what you’re capable of, but we know what he’s capable of.
“I’m biased, but one thing is for sure. While it lasts, it’s going to be exciting. This is going to be exciting. It’s going to be one of the most exciting events that you’ve ever seen. I promise you.
“This isn’t for the WBC title, but if you look up here, they’ve [World Boxing Council] commissioned a belt, which is the Riyadh championship belt, and hopefully, this will be something that will be fought for every year.
“This will be a social event, and as I say. It’s two guys that are the best of their discipline. This is the best fighting the best. The winner will walk away with thatt belt, and they’ll do well financially. There’s no doubt about that,” said Warren.
