Fury Plans Active Ring Campaign Leading To Klitschko

By Jake Donovan

It was the most frustrating stretch of Tyson Fury’s career prior to finally stepping into the ring for his rematch with Dereck Chisora last November. The unbeaten heavyweight had established himself as one of the division’s top players, but absent were the opportunities to advance his career, due to a variety of circumstances well beyond his control.

Between scheduled opponents suffering untimely injuries or withdrawing altogether, Fury (23-0, 17KOs) managed just two fights in a span of more than 18 months leading into his second fight with Chisora. The 6’9” Brit took his frustrations out on his longtime rival, delivering one of the best performances of his career in forcing Chisora to retire on his stool after 10 rounds. 

The win placed Fury in line for a mandatory title fight versus World heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, although he has to wait his turn. The agreement in place allowed Klitschko to negotiate a fight with American contender Bryant Jennings—targeted for April 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY—with the winner obligated to reach a deal with Fury by no later than late May. 

Rather than grow stale on the sidelines waiting for his title shot to materialize, Fury and his team made the command decision to keep his career moving. With that comes his next ring appearance, a stay-busy fight versus heavyweight trialhorse Christian Hammer on February 28 at O2 Arena in London.

“(Fury’s) only had two fights in roughly two years,” points out co-promoter Frank Warren. “He wants to be match fit, he wants to be ready. We want to make sure that when he faces off with Klitschko, he’s fighting fit.”

The two fights in roughly two years following his off-the-canvas knockout win over Steve Cunningham in April ’13 both came in 2014, though neither itinerary part of his original blueprint for title contention. 

Following the win over Cunningham—which served as Fury’s U.S. debut—plans called for a showdown with countryman David Haye. Fury was strung along for months, with the historically fragile Haye forcing consecutive postponements due to injury before withdrawing altogether, leaving Fury inactive for more than eight months to close out 2013. 

A rust-shaker versus Joey Abell kicked off his 2014 campaign, knocking out the American journeyman in four rounds. The fight headlined a show that also included Chisora, who outpointed the underachieving Kevin Johnson. 

The card was designed to build momentum towards their eventual rematch, though the bout was stalled by four months from its original July 26 date when Chisora suffered an injury barely a week prior to fight night. 

While 2014 ended on a positive note for Fury, it was the second consecutive year he gladly leaves in the rearview mirror. The unbeaten top contender rested following the win over Chisora and is now ready to officially kick off his 2015 campaign. 

“I enjoyed my Christmas. I just relaxed. I begin training on Monday, and look forward to putting 2014 behind me,” Fury stated during a recent media conference call. “It was a terrible year with a great ending. 2015 is going to be a better year.” 

Regardless of how long it takes to secure a fight with the winner of the April 25 World heavyweight championship in Brooklyn, Fury knows better than to sit around and hope for his opportunity to come in a timely fashion.

“This type of fight is preparing for the big fight,” Fury says of his upcoming showdown with Hammer, which will air live on BoxNation in the United Kingdom. “I’m not on Klitschko’s time, I’m on my time. If we have to take three fights (before he’s ready), I’m going to do it.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox