The heavyweight division has been the most open it has ever been after Tyson Fury shocked the world by beating Wladimir Klitschko on points in his own back yard in Dusseldorf. Since then Fury has been stripped of his IBF world title, been publicly humiliated by the British press and has even recently considered retirement. However since he has been named fighter of the year by Ring Magazine, Behind the Gloves wants to take a look at whether there is anyone in the heavyweight division who can challenge Fury for his WBO and WBA titles.
First of all, Fury must deal with the contracted rematch that Klitschko enforced in December. The fight is yet to be announced however it is expected to be again in Germany so Fury must deal with being the away fighter even though he is the champion. However, in the first fight Klitschko looked like a old fighter who did not throw his right hand until the 11th round. He looked unable to deal with Fury’s head movement and size and was completely out-boxed by the Brit. Many predict a Fury knockout in the second fight however it will be closer than many people think but Fury should come through it in an impressive display.
After the Klitschko fight, Fury has been mandated to fight Luis Ortiz, if he beats Tony Thompson, in the WBA tournament that has recently been issued by president, Gilberto Mendoza. Although Ortiz is one of the most dangerous opponents in the division, Fury has a height and reach advantage over him.
WBC champion Deontay Wilder looked poor against ex-soccer hooligan, Artur Spzilka, he was unable to control the range and looked unable to deal with Spzilka’s head movement which was very similar to what Fury did against Klitschko, jumping in and out of range. However Wilder possesses scary power and this is heavyweight boxing so that is something that Fury would have to look out for if the two face each other.
Where Fury will receive the most problems is domestically, he has already come out and said that he would vacate his belts if David Haye managed to get himself into a mandatory position because of Haye pulling out of the fight twice in 2013. However, this is a huge domestic dust up that could occur in 2017 and if the money is there then Fury’s arm may be twisted in taking the fight. Haye would provide Fury with a lot of problems especially with his immaculate timing, his experience in the ring and his scary punching power.
Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua has been unbelievable since he turned pro back in 2013 and a fight with Fury looks in the making at some point in the next few years if the two fighters can keep winning. Joshua certainly has the tools to beat Fury however he needs some more experience before he takes him on by being in some tough fights with lesser opposition. Joshua is yet to step up to that world class level so to put him in the ring with Fury this year would be suicidal, however he in a few years’ time he is the man who can de-throne the ‘Gypsy King’.
For now though Fury’s status as the heavyweight champion of the world is safe, especially if he comes through that tricky rematch with Klitschko. Fighters such as Povetkin, Martin, Stiverne, Pulev, and Jennings pose no threat to the Ring Magazine champion. It is the fighters that are on the rise such as New Zealander, Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua that Fury will need to watch out for in the coming years.
– Tom Eckett / @boxingguru44
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