By James Slater: A number of fighters who went on to become great heavyweight champions had their pro debuts at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York, and next March, unbeaten British hope Tyson Fury will have his U.S debut inside the building that saw the very start of the careers of heroes like George Foreman and Evander Holyfield.
Fury is already 15-0(10) and he has already claimed both the British and Commonwealth crowns, but he has yet to fight in America. His promoter, Mick Hennessey, told Ring Magazine’s web site that this will be remedied next March, over the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
“We’re looking for another fight in November,” Hennessey said. “Then, touch wood there are no injuries and everything goes well, we’re looking at Madison Square Garden in Saint Patrick’s week for Tyson. That would be one hell of an event.”
Not only does every young fighter, Fury included, dream of fighting inside the historic arena that was host to so many epic fight nights, but the planned March date will also give U.S fans a chance to see the heavily-hyped prospect in the flesh. It will be very interesting to see who they put the 6’9” giant in with in his U.S debut, but first Fury must get past this coming Saturday’s opponent: the also-huge Nicolai Firtha.
“Firtha has said he is coming for a shoot-out and he has fancied it for a long time,” Hennessey said of Saturday’s opponent.
Fury should win at the weekend, but he may have some problems chopping the 6’6” Firtha down. Not only that, but Fury may get his chin tested at least somewhat by the North American champ. I think we will se an entertaining battle, but one that Fury wins. A stoppage win would be impressive (allowing Fury to go one better than current WBA “regular” champ Alexander Povetkin, who was taken the full 10-rounds by Firtha quite recently), but as long as Fury gets the win that’s all that matters.
The Americans are now awaiting Fury’s arrival, and the last thing we need is an upset loss that will prevent the U.S debut of the single most talked about young heavyweight on the scene today.
I go for Fury to overcome a spirited challenge from Firtha, 20-8(8); stopping him in the later rounds. I go for either the 7th or the 8th.