Tyson Fury report: good progress but now needs a proper test

For some it was just a pointless exercise against an aging heavy bag, as the Tyson Fury roadshow rolled into Somerset at the weekend.
On the surface this looked like another lacklustre opponent lined up for a fall, and yet another side-step in avoiding the so called big guns in the heavyweight division.

Fury, admittedly, had a relatively simple job to do at Clevedon’s Hand Arena but he looked good in the process to move to 19-0 (14 early), and sent his large contingent of fans home happy.

In no less than five rounds the 6′ 9″ Manchester heavyweight dealt with the challenge that was Vinny Maddalone in clinical fashion.

To Fury's credit he looked sharp and in top condition, reducing his 38-year-old opponent to looking like an unskilled labourer.

New Yorker Maddalone, slipping to 35-8, maybe closer to retirement than a 'world' title shot, but let's not forget this is the same man that previously took Russian prospect Denis Boytsov and recent Klitschko challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck the distance, both over eight rounds.

But Fury’s speed and athleticism was all too much for the American, and forced a fifth round stoppage to claim the vacant WBO Inter-Continental strap.

So what did we learn about Fury’s latest outing, apart from needing longer shorts?

We saw a man that looked conditioned and hungry for success. He can work well behind an impressive jab to land fast combinations at will on his target.

Make no mistake: Fury is a serious contender in the heavyweight division, and at just 24 has time on his side.

It’s easy to forget for someone still so young he has been in with the likes of John McDermott (twice), Dereck Chisora and Martin Rogan, all seasoned performers and came out on top.

After the annihilation of Maddalone we now need to see Fury stepped up in class to see if he can truly cut it as a world stage performer. We need to see him tested.

Can his chin take a barrage of shots? Does he have a heart of lion to dig in deep in those championship rounds? Those are the questions that need answering and only time will tell if Fury can pass those examinations of his championship credentials.

With the adrenalin still pumping from his latest victory, Fury was in confident manner as he told Channel Five viewers, "I'm still undefeated. I would like to say I'm ready for anyone in the world. Klitschkos - bring them on. Americans - bring them on. Bring on Tomasz Adamek. He's too small for me and I see an early win for me."

However, there is one man he didn’t name in that interview. And that was the name of British rival David Price. And it’s a name that will not go away until Fury fights him.

Some would say Price, 29, is the superior heavyweight in the UK and ahead of Fury in the pecking order to fight one of the Klitschko brothers.

Fury vacating his British title to avoid a domestic super fight with Price, 13-0 (11), perhaps tells you everything you need to know how Fury felt in squaring up to the Liverpool fighter.


It’s highly unlikely Fury’s next fight will be against a Klitschko, but you feel he does need a ‘marquee fight’ next to maintain his growing interest and underline his championship qualities.