By James Slater: In what is clearly a wise move, unbeaten 23-year-old heavyweight contender Tyson Fury has let it be known he is not yet interested in challenging world ruler Wladimir Klitschko. 6’9” Tyson, who snatched the British and commonwealth titles from the previously unbeaten Dereck Chisora at the week end, could very easily have began shouting his mouth off, saying he is ready and willing to step in the ring with “Dr. Steel Hammer” in his very next fight (Wladimir had expressed interest in facing the winner of Fury-Chisora later this year, possibly even in London) – instead, the Mick Hennessey-guided hope is showing he has the brains to be patient.
For although he looked good in spots in picking up his biggest career win to date, Fury’s performance on Saturday also showed he is far from the finished article. Hit way too easily and often distracted during the fight, today’s version of Fury would almost certainly be eaten up by the at-his-peak 35-year-old superstar from Ukraine. But in a year or two, who knows? And Fury, along with promoter Hennessey, has his immediate future planned out.
“I’m only just starting and there’s a lot I want to do before fighting the Klitschkos,” Fury said. “The Irish title is next and I’m going to take on big Martin in Belfast.”
Fury was referring to former “Prizefighter” winner Martin Rogan, and as Tyson has some Irish family heritage, he is eligible to fight for the Irish title. 40-year-old Rogan, 14-2(7) hasn’t had the highest of profiles recently, having had just two, 2010 under-card fights (both wins) since his second stoppage loss to Sam Sexton. Two years or so ago, a Fury-Rogan clash would have been most interesting, but now Rogan looks to have a massive uphill battle against him if he indeed accepts the fight.
Fury says he wants to “clean up” all the major titles below the world crown before he goes for the ultimate, and he is interested in the European belt currently held by the huge Alexander Dimitrenko.
“I’ll go for the Irish title and then a defence of the British – then maybe I can go for Dimitrenko, who’s got the European,” he said.
Now that would be an interesting match-up, the kind that, if he were able to win, would show that Fury is close to being able to get in there Wladimir. 29-year-old Dimitrenko, 31-1(21) has lost only once (on points to Eddie Chambers) and the Ukrainian still has world title dreams of his own.
The good thing is, Fury has patience and he is willing to learn as much as he can before he steps in with the world number-one (imagine how Chisora would have faired had he actually kept his date with Wladimir?). Fury is a genuine talent and he could well fulfil trainer Emanuel Steward’s prophecy of becoming the next dominant heavyweight ruler. But there is a long way to go yet. Thankfully, Fury and his team realise this.