Tyson Fury targets Anthony Joshua bout to ‘complete’ career

0
14

(BBC) Tyson Fury said his career would be “completed” if he faced fellow Briton Anthony Joshua after becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion with a stunning win over Deontay Wilder.

Fury, 31, stopped Wilder in seven rounds of their Las Vegas rematch to claim the WBC title four years on from giving up the IBF, WBO and WBA belts now held by Joshua.
Wilder can request a rematch but Fury pointed to meeting with Joshua if that does not happen.

He said: “I’ve got another old fella across the pond who might want a little tickle.
“Then that is it then. It’s completed. Done.”
‘AJ wants Fury next’

Fury said his win felt like “the icing on the cake” after well-publicised personal issues saw him give up the titles – won in 2015 by stunning another long-time champion, Wladimir Klitschko – during a 30-month break from the sport.
Announcing himself at his post-fight media conference by screaming “are you not entertained?”, Fury then promised reporters his recent switch to American trainer SugarHill Steward will produce even greater results than this one.

‘This was written in the stars’ – Fury on beating Wilder
“I have only just started with this style,” Fury said. “We will be putting people to sleep right, left and centre.

“I need to enjoy this. Deontay will need time to recover. I am sure he will take a rematch as he is a dynamite puncher and with that you are always in the fight. Whoever is next will get the same treatment, that is for sure.

“This was written in the stars a million miles away – before I was born I was destined to do what I do.”

Wilder, who was taken to hospital after the fight to have stitches in a cut, has 30 days to request a third bout but was well beaten in a contest nowhere near as competitive as their 2018 draw.

If he does not take up the option, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says he will do “everything” to make a match with Fury that could lead to one man holding all four heavyweight titles for the first time.

Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing colleague Frank Smith and Joshua’s manager Freddie Cunningham were in Las Vegas to see Fury win.

“I have said and I will make this clear, we have to make this fight happen,” Hearn told Talksport.

“We will never get the chance for two Brits to fight for an undisputed heavyweight world championship.

“The first thing is that Wilder has the rematch clause. I don’t think anyone wants to see a third fight – it was that conclusive – but we will see if he wants to exercise that.

“Our mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is also promoted by Bob Arum, Tyson Fury’s promoter, so there is a very easy manoeuvre there if Wilder doesn’t want the rematch to go straight into this undisputed fight in the summer.

“I have already spoken to Joshua. He wants this fight. He has zero fear of fighting Tyson Fury and he wants to be undisputed.”

‘I felt like a beast in there – this is my weight’

Fury knocked Wilder down in rounds three and five – only the second and third times the former champion has been on the canvas – in a dominant display.

Wilder’s trainer Jay Deas said he did not want his colleague Mark Breland to throw in the towel in the seventh round, given their fighter carries the kind of one-punch power that can turn a fight instantly.

But Fury insisted it had been the right call as it was “only a matter of time” before his rival “got seriously hurt” – and Wilder conceded “the best man won on the night”.

The new champion said the manner of his display vindicated his decision to part with former trainer Ben Davison and bulk his 6ft 9in frame up to 273lbs from the 254 he scaled in his win over Otto Wallin in September.

“When I left Ben people said it was a bad move but it worked for the best and I believed in the style SugarHill teaches,” Fury added.

“Everything I did in the ring tonight we had worked on in the gym.

“I felt like a beast in there. This is my weight for sure.”

“It was masterful’ – analysis

BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello

Tyson Fury did what he said he would do and what so many doubted he would do.
He dominated on the front foot, showed why he decided to put on so much weight and why he decided to change trainers.

It was a masterful, controlled display, swiftly dispelling fears about his ability to operate at his best at 19st 7lbs.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here