Has any heavyweight ever successfully negated the strengths of long term reigning heavyweight champions in the way Tyson Fury has. We were told Klitschko was not motivated and never throw right hands. In reality Fury took his strengths away from him and controlled him and never let him get off the right hands whilst in range. Now with Wilder, its, he can only fight one dimensionally and all you need to do is pressure him. In reality a genius backfoot boxer who was labelled feather fisted (laughable) changed trainers and changed to a skilled pressure puncher in only 10 weeks and went in head on with the man lauded the hardest puncher ever and roughed him up and landed the heavier more frequent shots and stopped him away from home. Not getting carried away but we have a genius in our midst, enjoy him whilst we can.
The Klitschko win is far more impressive. Klitschko will be remembered as a great. Wilder is now into the same category, if not below, the likes of Moorer, Tua, Rahman and McCall. He doesn’t have a single signature win. The list of names he didn’t fight far exceed those he did. Well done to Tyson for being the man to explode the myth, but this reminds me of Lewis battering Michael Grant. A big American knockout artist, ‘next big thing’ based on him looking good whilst smashing up second tier contenders like Izon, Sullivan, Gonzalez and Golota.
Good post @moog I don’t think I’ve felt as elated about the success of another (not relative) person in the way that I am right now. I’ve had about 90 mins kip, but I’m still buzzing about the event and don’t feel like I need anymore sleep yet. We’ve been on a journey with this lad. Seen his flaws both in the ring and out of it. We saw him at his absolute worse...when he was 29 stone and inactive, some of us still believed he would come back and become a world champ again. He’s not only come back...he’s repaired his image, and it seems genuine to me, he’s turned all that negativity into a positive and been an advocate for mental health awareness. He’s not only become a big star in boxing but he’s gone mainstream which I know a few on here will find unpalatable, but that is fact. I got ridiculed for this last time but I believe it’s true...he’s gone mainstream. Only 3 heavyweights have ever won the ring magazine twice, Ali, Patterson and Tyson Fury. That’s something really special. He’s shown that he’s a very special fighter who has shown not only the technical abilities he possesses but his heart and character. He walked down a huge puncher last night and put it on him and smashed him to bits, then sang American Pie in the ring. He’s the man, lads. Special mention to Wilder whom I’ve noticed that some are now downplaying as a fighter. I’ve seen him get chinned a few times in his last few fights...Ortiz had him going, Breazeale had him going, Fury had him going in both fights...he’s got some serious chin on him and a warriors heart that fella. A bit of an emotional post, but just backing up Moog. To go to the champions back yard, with their refs and their judges, and to win arguably 3 times. Just brilliant.
he has wilder's card because he's bigger, longer and a genius boxer. I reckon wilder still has a decent chance of beating AJ though, as AJ doesn't have those physical advantages which negate wilder's normal style.
Plenty of people have suspected that offense is the best defense against Wilder. However, to do this against type when he’s almost took your head off in the first fight, is bloody impressive. It takes a special kind of fighter to do that. I’m not sure where Fury will eventually be viewed amongst the great heavyweights, but the guy definitely has “it”. A first ballot Hall of Famer, and Britain’s second great heavyweight of the modern era. Few would have predicted he’d make it this far, but he’s making a career out of proving people wrong. Hopefully this time round as “the man” gives him greater happiness, fulfilment and acclaim than the first time.
The thing is Fury didn't just beat Klitschko and Wilder. He made light work of both champions. Putting on a defensively masterclass v one, and an offensive masterclass v the other. Incredible stuff.
Sign of a great fighter is one who is able to adapt, negate the strengths of your opponent and implement your own strengths. He could of won on the back foot or front foot imo. It was a logical choice to fight on the front foot, with it's own dangers though. Chance of walking onto a big right hand but Wilder is less effective going backwards and power is negated. Secondly as a much heavier man, it was going to be so difficult for Wilder to keep someone as big and heavy as Fury off him. Wilders relied on one punch more and more often, only a matter of time until someone who is good enough will exploit that. Lost his focus on actually using his boxing skills. No doubt in my mind Fury is the no.1 in the division.
Michael Benson has got a poll up asking what’s the greatest achievement. The majority are saying Wilder!!! Shows how fickle the casuals are. Fury was brilliant last night but the Klitschko win is by far the better achievement.
No doubt about it - that was the best British World Heavyweight performance in a ring since Lewis beat Vitali.
@Twentyman great post mate. Unfortunately with Fury to many people have been blinded on his talent because of their personal dislike of him as a person. We have been indeed been loyal members of his fan club. I'm on a high too, unbelievable feeling pal. I think lots will jump on the bandwagon now unlike before or after he beat Klitschko. I just hope he doesn't get too much of a high with the increased support and his family keep him grounded, as we all know the great British public build you up to put you down again (not ideal with Tysons mental health).
It's an awkward one for me. Who was better Wilder or Klitschko? No debate, Klitschko that Fury beat. So in one aspect the Klitschko win was a bigger achievement but then on the other hand i think his performance was arguable better v Wilder. Then there is the fact of his self destruction pre Wilder and coming back from that to do what he has is unrivalled.
I think the lesson was learned v Otto Wallin with the wrong fight weight and "circus" training camp. Fury almost lost it all there and then with that career threatening eye injury. Shane and John will never allow that to happen again and I think Fury now knows what needs to be done for his last few fights. He had a proper old school camp with a modern disciplined diet and it payed dividends. With that mindset and preparation he's not losing to anyone in the next couple of years. Fury will have enjoyed that fight as much as any in his career, putting a beatdown on the most dangerous man in the division.