Bear with me ... I was revisiting some old footage today where Fury (or, actually, his team) said he was the best heavyweight ever. Obviously this is not true. Or even close. But, in an alternate reality, what would Fury need to have done to stake a credible claim as the best heavyweight in history? Or, if you think it was impossible based on available competition, what should he have done to make the strongest argument? Let's say from the Klitschko fight onwards... But you could do his whole career if you'd like to go deeper. I've always thought he didn't make the most of what he had (cherry picking, rather than time out).
Alternate reality?, it'd take an alternate universe a trillion miles away where he's champ on a planet of smurfs.
Only 2 fights with Wilder not 3. Beat Joshua. Beat Usyk. Beat Wladimir in a rematch. Beat another top contender like Parker or Zhang. If he did all that and retired undefeated he would've have a good claim to being in the top 5 or just outside it. Realistically though he could never of retired as the greatest because modern fighters don't fight anywhere near as often. And theres too many other Heavyweights like Louis, Ali, who have far too many top wins at Heavyweight for anyone modern Heavyweight to over take them.
Never be the best ever, but if he beats usyk twice and Joshua? He will be close to top 5, certainly top 10 Considering he was the one to dethrone Wlad? Then maybe top 3-5 isn't out of the question He won't do the above, but if he does, then even all you haters will have to finally acknowledge him
A resume of dethroning Wlad, Usyk, Wilder would be pretty damn good although their age matters. I don't think it happens but if it does he's undeniably top 10
Beat Klitschko in the rematch decisively. Beat Joshua, Wilder, Usyk and a bunch of contenders for 15 or so fights. People wouldnt admit it but then Fury wouldve been the best ever.
For this to happen, Fury would need to erase any footage of Fury-Klitschko so that he could argue that it was an amazing win. The next step would be to erase any evidence of Wilder-Zhang, or Wilder-Parker so that Wilder's resume would look better. Then, after finally erasing any evidence of Fury-Usyk, Tyson would need to actually beat some good fighters.
In an alternative universe, Tatoo from Fantasy Island, knocks out Fury with ease. While Fury lays unconscious, Tattoo stands on Fury's chest and does the Ali shuffle, yelling sausage dosser over and over.
Staying active against (3-4 times a year) and beating the top contenders from Wlad 1 until today would make a pretty good argument.
Tyson Fury is the greatest He just was never a dedicated full time athlete and it cost him. He lives for the challenge. Wlad's poor performance put him in a 3 year depression. Build your life up to a moment and it wasn't even hard. Usyk has thankfully broken Furys curse and given him a new lease of life. Once Fury wins the rematch he can retire in peace. If he beat Usyk first time around it would have ruined him. Fury getting up in round 12 against Wilder is a top 10 moment in boxing history and what an honour is was to view it. It was also an honour to see two relatively older getting on fighters in Usyk and Fury to perform how they did. On their night these two fighters are simply special. They are memorising.