Unbeaten heavyweight star Hughie Lewis Fury believes a potential rumble with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua would bear a striking similarity to the night Muhammad Ali bemused and broke George Foreman in Zaire in 1974.
Twenty-one-year-old Fury, set for a tune-up bout on July 9 in Manchester, is currently recovering from illness, but, once back to full fitness, has his sights set on returning Joshua’s IBF title to the Fury family.
“I think when Joshua steps up to a higher level he’ll come undone,” says Hughie. “Joshua knows he can hit, he knows he’s one-dimensional and his team know all he needs is a stationary target, guys who can’t move. That’s why he looks good. That’s why he gets his knockouts. But put him in there with anybody who knows how to jab, move and actually box and I think he’ll look clueless very, very quickly.
“Let’s go back to the time when Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman. Everyone said Foreman was going to destroy Ali. They didn’t give Ali a chance. But look what movement did to power that night. After a few rounds, Ali took control and made Foreman look clueless. You can’t hit what you can’t see.
“I’m not saying I’m Ali, and I’m not saying Joshua is Foreman, but I think the same thing would happen to Joshua if he fought me. He’d be left hitting thin air and would get frustrated and exhausted.”
Though Fury, 20-0 (10 KOs), is happy to grab any of the available heavyweight titles, when he’s good and ready, he seems particularly irked by the way Joshua claimed his current belt.
“Joshua’s got very good management and he’s on a good rise,” says Hughie. “But I don’t class him as a world champion. He hasn’t fought anyone. He was gifted a belt. He didn’t win it. Tyson (Fury, cousin) had the belt taken off him and then Charles Martin won it because some guy (Vyacheslav Glazkov) got injured. The whole situation was a disgrace. It seems like anybody can get a belt these days.
“Charles Martin came over here, as a so-called world champion, took a shot, sat down and was smiling as he was counted out. That’s no world champion. Even if you’re no good, you at least put up a fight and give it a go. Put your heart and soul into it. At least then you have a bit of respect for the guy. But for him to go out the way he did was pathetic.”
The passing of Muhammad Ali on Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona served as yet another reminder that they don’t make them quite like they used to. And Fury, a fan of Ali since he was a child, admits most of what he knows was taught to him by the The Greatest.
“He was an inspiration to us all,” he says. “I’ve always looked up to and admired Ali, especially in his fight with Foreman. That has always been one of my favourite fights to watch.
“That’s my style; movement and speed kills power. You don’t need to be the biggest puncher in the world. Even Muhammad Ali said that. You need to be clever and you need to be fast. I know I’m not a huge puncher, but I’m quicker and have more ring intelligence than these other heavyweights. It’s what is going to get me to the top.”
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Fast rising heavyweight Hughie Fury has been ranked #6 in the world by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Fury captured the WBO’s Intercontinental belt April 30 via 7th round technical decision over awkward Fred Kassi. At 21 years old, Fury has a perfect 20-0 professional ledger and stopped ten of his opponents. During the last fifteen months, Fury’s passed multiple tough tests having outpointed noteworthy fighters in Andriy Rudenko, George Arias, Dominick Guinn and Kassi.
On July 9, Fury looks to shine on his biggest stage yet when he faces an opponent to be named in a ten or twelve round fight. The fight will appear on the undercard of the world heavyweight championship showdown between champion Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko at the Manchester Arena.
Hungry but humble, Fury is very pleased with his world ranking and plans to win the WBO world championship.
“I’m overwhelmed that the WBO has me listed in the top six in the world,” said Fury. “I’m a loyal person and will repay the WBO by winning their world title just like my cousin Tyson.”
Even with his notable success and high praise throughout the boxing world, Fury’s been battling a grueling opponent out of the ring that has prevented him from being 100 percent.
According to Dr. Ian R. White, Fury’s suffering from acne conglobata which could result in malaise, fluctuating fevers and joint pain. The condition has to be treated aggressively with medications in order to keep his career progressing.
Thankfully, he’s responding well and things are looking up.
“I’ve been dealing with fatigue and a skin problem that caused my body to breakdown. I know people in the boxing world have taken note of this and I appreciate their concern. The good news is I have been given treatment to clear my skin once and for all. I’m 21 years old and am going to show the world what I’m about in the next year and hopefully there will be another world champion in the Fury family.”
Fury’s opponent will be announced shortly.
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Undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Fury will appear in a featured bout on the undercard of the world heavyweight championship rematch between unified champion Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko Saturday, July 9 at the Manchester Arena.
The bout will take place in front of more than 21,000 fans and be seen by millions more around the world on various television outlets.
Widely regarded as one of the best young heavyweights on the planet, the 21-year-old Fury has an outstanding 20-0 ledger with 10 wins by knockout. On April 30 in London, Fury scored a clear-cut technical decision over tricky switch hitter Fred Kassi to capture the WBO Intercontinental championship when the fight was stopped early due to an accidental clash of heads. Since turning pro in March 2013, Fury’s been matched tough and defeated the likes of Andriy Rudenko, George Arias, Dominick Guinn and the aforementioned Kassi.
Having already faced quality opponents while many young heavyweights build their records against subpar opposition, Fury’s team is looking for another tough challenge July 9.
“Hughie Fury is taking fights that no other heavyweights are taking,” said Peter Fury, his father and trainer. “Forget being built up on handpicked opponents, we’re facing guys that are here to win and give us a hard fight. He’s coming off of back to back tough fights. Look at his career so far compared to other prospects. Last year, we scored a clear win over Andriy Rudenko, who was 25-1 and his only defeat came via controversial decision to current heavyweight champion Lucas Browne. That will give you an idea where he’s at and I believe he’s the next force in the heavyweight division.”
Fury’s opponent will be announced shortly and the bout will be scheduled for either ten or twelve rounds.