by James Slater – There has been an interesting development on the British heavyweight scene. Unbeaten and heavily publicised 21-year-old Tyson Fury, who controversially won the English title with a points win over John McDermott back in September, has been forced to vacate the title because of the hand injury he suffered in his win over Tomas Mrazek. Fury’s hand is still not 100-percent, and he has been unable to go ahead with the British Boxing Board of Control-ordered return fight with the man many felt he lost to in McDermott..
This has been reported by The Manchester Evening News, and Fury, who is highly upset at having to give up his first pro title, will now watch old foe McDermott fight another unbeaten hope in London’s Derek “Del Boy” Chisora. It has been reported that Fury will fight the winner, in a bout that will be a final eliminator for the British heavyweight championship (currently held by Danny Williams, Danny set to meet Commonwealth champ Sam Sexton early next year).
So, we could be seeing some interesting all-British heavyweight rumbles in 2010. McDermott-Chisora is a good match-up, and one that will provide the fast-talking Chisora with his first real test. And the eventual winner versus Fury will be an intriguing fight either way – a return with McDermott would give both men a chance to set the record straight, while a Fury-Chisora clash has bad blood written all over it. And then, the winner of that fight would face whoever the British champion is after Williams and Sexton have met. Sounds good to me.
Fury, however, is annoyed at having to vacate his English title.
“I’m sick about it, but The BBB of C wouldn’t give me any more time,” Fury told The Manchester Evening News. “My hand is still only about 80-percent. Two specialists have recommended I have an operation and it looks like I’ll have to [have one]. The Board said they will match McDermott and Chisora for the vacant title and I’ll get the winner in a final eliminator for the British. I won’t lose my position and it gives me hand more time.”
So, if Chisora is as good as he seems to think he is, and he manages to defeat “Big Bad John,” we may never see a Fury-McDermott II – even though their first meeting sparked off one of the biggest controversies in recent British boxing history. For what it’s worth, I think the underrated McDermott will be able to defeat Chisora, most likely on points; and we will then get to see the demanded return with the 6’7″ big name.
Fury, by the way, is now being trainer by knowledgeable veteran Brian Hughes; the man who took Robin Reid to a world super-middleweight title. Hughes, who has The Moston and Collyhurst Lads Club gym on the outskirts of Manchester, is the third trainer to have worked with Fury.