On Saturday, Tyson Fury became the unified heavyweight champion of the world, beating Wladimir Klitschko by a unanimous decision. There was no question that Fury was the clear winner as he ensured the Ukrainian fighter could not get into range to fire up his previously successful and fighting-winning jab. A great performance by Fury, yet looking at the response of some of the British press was quite shocking towards the new Heavyweight champion.
While the fight was not the most exciting fight to view, Britain should be embracing a new champion of the most premier division in boxing. Yet headlines such as “Tyson Fury is a heavyweight moron – and isn’t it brilliant?” (The Mirror) and “Tyson Fury win shows new low for heavyweight boxing” (The Sun) pursued following his triumphant unanimous points win in Germany over the Ukrainian – a feat that some thought was virtually impossible.
While Fury may not have wowed the general crowd on the night, he produced a gameplan that stopped Klitschko – a fighter who has dominated and defended his titles nineteen times consecutively prior to facing the Brit – from getting into his element. Fury showed good hand speed and movement for a big fighter, which seemed to confuse Klitschko, who admitted post-fight that he struggled with Fury’s speed and the Brit stopped him from getting into range to land his shots. All of this itself deserves credit as many had failed to trouble him before.
Tyson Fury brings an energetic and animated aura to the recently dull and sluggish heavyweight division. Apart from his awkward style, he provides a form of entertainment that has lacked in the heavyweight division for a long time.
Yes, his personality may not be to the liking of everyone but whether you like him or not, he brings attention to boxing. Some people find his antics funny and some do not, yet he brings a buzz when watching him attempting to mentally rattle his opposition. He gains the audience full attention when talking and that is not always the case with every boxer.
Apart from the humorous, although sometimes tedious “Lets go champ” campaign that involved Shannon Briggs chasing Wladimir Klitschko around the world in an attempt to make a fight with him, Tyson Fury and WBC Champion Deontay Wilder provide a lift to the once dreary division.
Both men have the ability to market themselves well and in reality bring more attention the division. Fury created huge attention to the Klitschko-Fury fight by dressing up as Batman to the press conference in London. The antics on the day helped promote the fight further to anyone who may not have been interested in watching the fight and I myself can say that was the most entertaining and stimulating press conference I had ever personally attended.
Apart from these two, the heavyweight division has some great fighters coming through like Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Hughie Fury and Joseph Parker. Include these fighters and the return of former world champion David Haye to the current crop and it has the potential to provide some great fights in the future.
With Fury producing an effective performance on Saturday to dispose of the heavyweight king, he has not received the credit he has deserved for it. While his reign as champion is young, one thing is sure from Fury, he will bring more attention to the division and to boxing as a whole. Sometimes the criticism he gotten makes me think whether the writer of the articles from the national papers have even watched a boxing fight or bothered to take time to listen Fury fully.
Overall whether you love him or hate him, Fury dethroned a great champion in Wladimir Klitschko and should be getting praised. Tyson Fury is a champion that should be welcomed by his country with open arms, not with the mixed response he has received.
– Oun Abbas Hussain / @ouney86
– Managing Editor for Behind the Gloves.
Tyson became champ by defeating a long reign champ. A champ so boring that few fightfans will ever miss him. I expect Tyson Fury to become a great champ for many years, and he certantly has my thumbs up.