Fury: A Breath of Fresh Air

"I think I did get into his mind with the spiel I was giving him—I don’t think he’s had anyone go into him with as much intelligence as I gave him…He’s a weak mental person.  He kept going on about psychology and all that stuff, but at the end of this he’ll be hiring me to be a psychologist.”—Tyson Fury

“They probably will call him (Anthony Joshua) in…They’re like super best mates aren’t they? They’ve already vowed not to fight each other and all that rubbish. Is there a love affair going on there or something?”—Fury

“You (David Price) my friend are a legend.”—Fury

“We asked about the possibility of Hughie fighting Klitschko’s coach Banks first of all, but if we can get Vitali out of retirement then that’s even better for us.”—Peter Fury

“I’m counting down the days until I’m able to step in the ring and punish Fury for being the complete idiot he is…His latest homophobic rant aimed at myself, Lennox Lewis and [Vitali and Wladimir] Klitschko has really taken things too far.”—David Haye

“No I don’t believe gentlemen do stuff like that. David’s nothing more than a common person. He showed in his actions he is a thug and it doesn’t matter how regal he tries to be, in my opinion he is just a yob.”—Tyson Fury

“I thought this was a good place to think about Tyson Fury, sat on the toilet doing a sh**. Hi Tyson, how are you mate?”—Lucas Browne

“I don’t see where Tyson Fury has boxed anybody of Wladimir’s caliber to be able to get in the ring with Wladimir and do well.”—Lennox Lewis

“There is so many f****** p****s on hear! All b***job giving c****!! I’d love to see u lot I’d cut your throats u pack of t*******.”—Fury on Twitter

David Haye later responded to Fury’s “fury”, tweeting: “It seems @Tyson_Fury needs to ease up on his ‘Medication’ or seek an Exorcist, or he’ll get sectioned at this rate #StraightJacketRequired”

Perhaps Fury’s temperament could use more tempering and maybe he should be more self-deprecating, but I suspect he could care less what others think about him. All the rhetoric and loud mouthing is likely a load of blarney and he knows it better than anyone. Oh sure, he could take himself more seriously and embrace humility, but then he wouldn’t be Tyson Fury. He is the UK’s answer to Ricardo Mayorga, and his quotes or those he inspires are the stuff of a promoter’s dream.

Fury (24-0) is also a skilled fighter. He is young (26) and massive—he stands 6’9” —his arms seem to go on forever and his reflexes and ring vision are extraordinary for a man his size. He fights relaxed, is not impatient and seems to fully enjoy what he does. Fury also has superb range as he works behind his jab and keeps his opponents frustrated when they try to close the gap. But once he has someone hurt, he quickly closes the gap himself and moves in fast for the ending. Here is Fury finishing Steve Cunningham in a most malicious manner.

Tyson also possesses a wit—after all he is Irish. The thing is, he’s putting everybody on half the time, and it’s all a joke with him. Fury is a showman and is rarely at a loss for words or afraid to throw bold stuff out there. Heavyweight boxing hasn’t had this type in a long time. Not since Ali, really. David Haye is too self-absorbed and few buy into his scam. Boxing needs guys like Fury.

Now that Fury has soundly beaten Christian Hammer and Klitschko has taken the measure of Bryant Jennings, the two will clash in Germany in late 2015 and this one could equal Lewis-Tyson in being a “big event.” Fury has already initiated the verbal onslaught and Wlad seems hapless in responding. It’s like the Cassius Clay-Sonny Liston hyperbole all over again.

Wlad might win the fight but Fury will win the war of words. Indeed, in a sport/business that overwhelms us with nonstop lawsuits, suspected use of PEDS, and other never-ending topics, Tyson Fury just might be a breath of fresh air.