"Fury expects to be ready to challenge one of the Klitschkos next year"

The stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control performed a much-needed service to their sport when they nerved themselves to withdraw Dereck Chisora's license and also warn David Haye that he faces a similar fate if he applies to come out of retirement.

But that was not the only benefit to emerge from the madness in Munich, where that pair of heavyweight bruisers dragged the old game down with them into the gutter. Wider recognition of the Klitschko brothers as a force for good in boxing was long overdue.

The example set by the giant Ukrainians who hold a family duopoly of all the world heavyweight titles impressed not only the public at large but their fellow fighters. Their refusal to react when Chisora slapped Vitali in the face and then spat water at Wladimir confirmed their status as the right kind of role models.
Eyes on the prize: British heavyweight Tyson Fury is dreaming of beating the Klitschkos one day
Tyson Fury, another British heavyweight who has had to deal with his own psychological issues, has spelled out the impact upon him of the exemplary conduct of the Klitschkos.
'As the bigger men it would have been so easy for them to hit back,' says Fury. 'Yet they showed so much restraint. Their dignity was admirable and they showed the world that the heavyweight champions can also be great gentlemen.'

As an ambassador for the travelling community, Fury hopes to emulate that example: 'I hope I can do the same if I find myself in that kind of situation. I hope I would be able to hold back my anger. If men could behave like that all the time we would live in a much better world.'
Oh brother: Vitali (left) and Wladimir Klitschko (right) are a class apart both in and out of the ring
Fury expects to be ready to challenge one of the Klitschkos next year and promises: 'If it's Wladimir I will give him a much better fight than Haye did. If it's Vitali I will treat him with respect and focus my energy on fighting him in the ring. By then I won't be just in there to make up the numbers like Haye and Chisora,. I'll be able to take either of them out in style.'
That gives him three to four fights to ready himself – starting against Martin Rogan next month in Belfast and on Channel Five - although none of them will be against fellow Brit David Price, who will soon be boxing Sam Sexton for the British and Commonwealth titles which Fury has vacated.

To help him prepare, Fury has taken on a new trainer 'whose name I am keeping secret for the time being but who is one reason why I'm now fit, not fat.'

Fury has been criticised for refusing to face the big-punching Price but says: 'He's still learning. I'm No 5 in one world ranking and he's nowhere. I've had a string of fights all much tougher than any one of his. Let him get his own recognition, not ride on my name.
'If we fight one day in the future for a world title, all well and good. But I will be undefeated before and after that fight. In fact I believe I will eventually retire as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, like Rocky Marciano.'

Fury makes that prediction even though his huge frame has been knocked off its feet before but he says: 'I am a proper fighting man so I'm prepared to risk taking punches and we all know that any heavyweight can be put down by a big shot. But I always get up. In fact, my opponents are beginning to realise that the only way to beat Tyson Fury is to nail me to the canvas if they are lucky enough to knock me over.'

The events in Munich, in the midst of which Vitali defeated Chisora despite a shoulder injury which handicapped his jabbing left hand for most of the fight, persuaded a growing number of observers that it is time to recognise the Klitschkos as worthy world champions – Fury included.

He says: 'They're accused of being boring but they are very good at what they do. It's not their fault that for so long there has been no-one out there to give them a real challenge. They have fought and beaten pretty well every contender. But when my time comes they will have a real job on their hands.'

By then the Klitschko admiration society may well have grown to outnumber their critics. And about time, too.

Fury expects to be ready to challenge one of the Klitschkos next year and promises: 'If it's Wladimir I will give him a much better fight than Haye did. If it's Vitali I will treat him with respect and focus my energy on fighting him in the ring. By then I won't be just in there to make up the numbers like Haye and Chisora,. I'll be able to take either of them out in style.'

That gives him three to four fights to ready himself – starting against Martin Rogan next month in Belfast and on Channel Five

rowley wrote:To be fair Chris Vitali is in his 40's, Rogan is in his 40's, there is clearly method in the madness.

I'll be able to take either of them out in style.'

Union Cane wrote:How can you say Fury has a weak chin? He's only been down once, which was more an issue of balance than chin, and he got straight back up again, which is no mean feat given his size.

TF is undeservedly mocked on these pages. I wonder how many of you who are criticising him would last a round in the ring with him?

Union Cane wrote:How can you say Fury has a weak chin? He's only been down once, which was more an issue of balance than chin, and he got straight back up again, which is no mean feat given his size.

TF is undeservedly mocked on these pages. I wonder how many of you who are criticising him would last a round in the ring with him?

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:Didn't fat Mick say something like "we have a long term deal with channel 5 and David Price is not going to stop the Tyson Fury story"

How can Fury make up other excuses when his promotor has practically admitted Price would win and it would ruin the TV deal.

He will be ready for a World Champion next year, plus he isnt ready for a English Title champion either.

Wish he would just fight him. Fury was going down a good tough route with Chisora and Firtha. But the giving up the British title was a disgrace.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Union Cane wrote:How can you say Fury has a weak chin? He's only been down once, which was more an issue of balance than chin, and he got straight back up again, which is no mean feat given his size.

TF is undeservedly mocked on these pages. I wonder how many of you who are criticising him would last a round in the ring with him?

Are you a 'traveller', Union? You're always the first to leap to big Tysons defence.

And what has the second part of your post got to do with anything? I am not a michelin starred chef, but I know if my steak is overcooked.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Union Cane wrote:How can you say Fury has a weak chin? He's only been down once, which was more an issue of balance than chin, and he got straight back up again, which is no mean feat given his size.

TF is undeservedly mocked on these pages. I wonder how many of you who are criticising him would last a round in the ring with him?

Are you a 'traveller', Union? You're always the first to leap to big Tysons defence.

And what has the second part of your post got to do with anything? I am not a michelin starred chef, but I know if my steak is overcooked.

Union Cane wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Union Cane wrote:How can you say Fury has a weak chin? He's only been down once, which was more an issue of balance than chin, and he got straight back up again, which is no mean feat given his size.

TF is undeservedly mocked on these pages. I wonder how many of you who are criticising him would last a round in the ring with him?

Are you a 'traveller', Union? You're always the first to leap to big Tysons defence.

And what has the second part of your post got to do with anything? I am not a michelin starred chef, but I know if my steak is overcooked.

I am certainly not a 'traveller', how very dare you.

I just don't go along with the seemingly fashionable thing of slaughtering Fury. He's big, yes, and says silly things, but he is undefeated and let's not forget that to give up his belts he had to have won them in the first place. And as for the second part of my post, people are not saying that he is boxing's equivalent of Michel Roux Jr, they are saying he is, amongst other things, "a punk and a joke, a shameless ducker and an embarassment to the community he claims to come from.", as if they could do any better.

Union Cane wrote:You overlook the fact that he is the undefeated former English, British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion.

Anyway, I understand that people are set in their opinions and that if you don't like him you don't like him, so fair enough.

I just hope you remember this lone voice when Fury eventually retires as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, like Rocky Marciano.

Union Cane wrote:
I am certainly not a 'traveller', how very dare you.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Union Cane wrote:
I am certainly not a 'traveller', how very dare you.

So your definitely not a member of the Committee for United Nomadic Travellers Society, then?