Controversial heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury rarely, if ever, gets credit for the classy things he does. The press and media, more motivated to write up stories telling of Fury’s bad side, are less keen to report on his good side. And deep down, Fury is indeed a good man. Out of his own pocket, this past Saturday, he flew to Germany to support once bitter rival Dereck Chisora ahead of his European title fight with Kubrat Pulev (Chisora lost via 12-round split decision) and the two had mutual respect in the dressing room both before and after the fight.
Also, Fury took to his oft-used Twitter account to give props to two other British fighters: Amir Khan, who was bravery personified in his losing fight with Canelo Alvarez, and Anthony Crolla, who was class personified in his ultra-impressive, turn-the-tables KO over puncher Ismael Barroso. Fury saluted the efforts of both “proper fighting men,” and gave them props for their respective efforts. Fury also wrote how he will now be taking a Twitter vacation for nine weeks so as to fully concentrate on his upcoming rematch with Wladimir Klitschko on July 9th.
“I’m now going off line for 9weeks so I can focus on my job, thanks & I’ll see you all 9July, #GYPSYKING,” Fury wrote yesterday.
It may not be a big deal for a fighter to come off Twitter for any amount of time, but Fury has found a second home on the social media site. That Fury will lock himself away and train, train, train for the rematch, with no distractions and with no customary taunting of rivals and letting off steam with some colourful messages on Twitter, really shows how he means business ahead of the return with Klitschko. Of course, this is how it should be, but Fury makes us all believe he is a couldn’t care less type of individual, one who will walk away from boxing without a worry in the world even if he loses inside a round to Klitschko in the rematch. This is not the real Tyson Fury.
Fury, make no mistake about it, will be pushing himself, and being pushed, to the limit out in Belgium. Forget the fat guy that showed off and generally messed around (with Klitschko’s head!?) at the Manchester press conference a couple of weeks ago; Fury will be in top shape, mentally and physically, and he will be ready to rumble on July 9th.
And while we’re at it, let’s all ignore the retirement talk Fury comes out with; what with him stating how he will quit after July 9th. Forget it, Fury is going nowhere – apart from off Twitter to train his ass off for a spell of just under two months. British boxing is a richer place with such a heavyweight champion – even though, as is the case, equally perplexingly, with Amir Khan, the majority of fans take pleasure in, and root for, his demise. This will not come on July 9th.