One of the most interesting boxers this writer has met was Randall “Tex” Cobb out of Texas when he came to Philadelphia to have George Benton train him at the Joe Frazier Gym. He had one liners that had people laughing all the time. On one accession while in the ring fighting he was heard to say to one of his opponent’s “after this we should get a couple of beers together!”
Today, we have WBC World heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury. At press conferences he is one of a kind. He entered the ring sitting on a throne fit for a king!
Prior to fighting Wladimir Klitschko in November of 2015 in Germany Fury shows up in a “Bat Man” outfit with one hand on a table leaping over it having a disturbing effect on the former world champion.
In Fury’s last bout in February of this year with WBC World Heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder it’s been reported he entered Wilder’s dressing room prior to the fight and proclaimed “I’m going to F… you up!” Wilder is was reported had the face of a loser at that point. Fury went onto stop Wilder in seven rounds and take the WBC title!
Fury turned 32 Wednesday and is looking forward to retaining his title in a third meeting with Wilder. He has overcome such things as former IBF World Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham on April of 2013 at New York’s Madison Square Garden having Fury on the canvas in the second round only to come back stopping Cunningham in seven rounds.
Earlier in his career Fury came off the canvas against NABA Canadian champion Neven Pajkic, then 16-0, in the second round on November of 2011 to stop him in the following round. In Fury’s bout with Otto Wallin, of Sweden, in September of 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada, he overcame 47 stitches over his right eye to go onto win a ten round decision.
At 30-0-1 with 21 stoppages the 6’09” Fury coming in at around 270 pounds is an opposing site for any opponent. His next bout will be with Wilder for a third time possibly before the year is out. It must be all about the money for Wilder who will be a heavy underdog in that one otherwise why take on “The Gypsy King?” The winner will be in line for a unification bout in 2021 to meet Anthony ‘AJ’ Joshua, 23-1 with 21 stoppages, who holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts. Both being from the UK could fill up the Wembley Stadium in London if fans are permitted at that time.
Tyson Fury is a “character” and just what boxing needs at a time that there isn’t a lot to cheer about today in sports! Long live the King!