By James Slater: Fresh off his fighter’s impressive 5th-round stoppage of tough Martin Rogan, Tyson Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessey is talking big. Very big. Hennessey, who says the unbeaten 23-year-old could be back in action as soon as June 3rd, also says that the longer-term goal is to “bring the Povetkins over here and the Klitschkos.”
Hennessey says Fury would “wipe the floor with Povetkin,” and the British promoter also feels he will be able to bring one of the Klitschko brothers over to the U.K for a fight with Fury. Hennessey clearly feels his fighter is big enough, worthy enough and well known enough for one of the two world heavyweight kings to consider leaving Germany for a fight in Britain.
“Tyson is the biggest star in heavyweight boxing behind the Klitschkos,” Hennessey said. “We are going to manoeuvre him into a position where we bring the Povetkins over here and the Klitschkos. Tyson is the only man that can do this. He can go all the way. He can be world champion as quick as he wants. We are just going to keep him busy now.”
6’9” Fury came in at a career-low 245-pounds for last night’s fight, and he is a great prospect, but at this stage, despite his success, Fury is still developing. Maybe, maybe, Fury would be able to beat Povetkin this year, but the Klitschkos are an entirely different proposition. Careers can be ruined by rushing a young fighter into a fight he is not ready for.
Hennessey also spoke about Fury challenging for the European title, and that idea makes a lot more sense. Fury is both exciting and talented. There is no need to rush him. He has, after all, faced just one genuinely world class, world rated fighter; that being an out of shape Dereck Chisora. Obviously, Hennessey’s argument would be that “Del Boy” did quite well when challenging Vitali Klitschko, and that, with around the same amount of pro experience, Fury would be in with a chance against the ageing “Dr. Iron Fist.”
But Chisora was still clearly out-pointed, and he fought a Vitali who picked up a shoulder injury early on in the fight. The Klitschkos cannot last forever, and Fury might be the man to reign once they’ve gone. But I’d be amazed if either brother agreed to come over to the U.K for a fight with Fury. Not unless Hennessey can offer them some huge, huge money.
Fury, 18-0(13) is doing very well, but to be in with a real chance of winning the world title, further experience is needed. How about that talked-of U.S debut soon?