The former world champion says Fury’s comeback is designed to sharpen him, not test him, before bigger fights later this year
Johnny Nelson believes Tyson Fury’s critics are judging the Mariusz Wach fight by the wrong standard. The former cruiserweight champion says Fury’s July 24 return is about getting rounds and rebuilding momentum, not taking unnecessary risks before bigger fights.
“This isn’t about the opponent. This is about Tyson Fury getting out, getting a workout, and getting paid for it,” Nelson said to Boxing King Media while discussing the matchup.
Rather than judging the fight on Wach’s credentials, Nelson argued Fury’s camp is simply looking for a low-risk outing after an extended spell out of the ring.
“If you get in there with somebody that’s not very good or you don’t respect as being very good, that’s where you make a mistake, and you look bad,” Nelson said. “But this isn’t about the opponent. This is about Tyson Fury just getting out there.”
Nelson believes Fury’s critics are expecting the wrong type of event. Based on what he has heard, he views it as little more than a public workout designed to give the former heavyweight champion rounds under the lights.
“So if we’re looking at this as a serious fight, to think, ‘Could he lose?’ that intrigue is not there. It doesn’t exist,” Nelson said. “It’s just a gimme to get out. It’s something he could do in a gym… but he’s doing it publicly for a bit of publicity as well.”
Nelson also dismissed suggestions that Fury should have taken on a younger, more dangerous opponent instead.
“I’d fight Wach,” Nelson said when asked what he would do in Fury’s position. “Why am I going to risk that to prove something that gets me nowhere? It’s more risk than reward. Why would I do that? It’s common sense.”
Fury is scheduled to face Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 24, one day before Anthony Joshua returns against Christian Prenga in Jeddah. The matchup has drawn criticism from many fans because Wach is 46 years old and has lost seven of his last 10 professional bouts.
Despite the reaction, Nelson believes Fury’s camp knew the criticism was coming and accepted it as part of the decision, insisting the goal was never to stage a high-risk comeback but simply to get the former heavyweight champion back inside the ring.
