Thailand Fury Files: Tyson Fury is not the same fighter I grew up watching

PATTAYA, Thailand — It became clear Friday that Tyson Fury isn't the same fighter I grew up watching. Twenty-four hours later, it became clear that Anthony Joshua isn't either.

That probably shouldn't have surprised me. Fury is 37 now, has spent almost two decades taking punches for a living and shared 30 brutal rounds with Deontay Wilder alone. Fighters don't stay the same forever, but sitting ringside in a tiny Muay Thai arena in Pattaya, watching him labor through seven rounds with Mariusz Wach, it was impossible not to think back to the Tyson Fury I remembered.

My parents weren't paying Sky Sports subscription prices, so Fury fighting on free-to-air television in the UK became my introduction into heavyweight boxing. From the domestic shows to his rise towards a world title, Fury was one of the few elite fighters I could regularly watch. When I eventually became a boxing journalist, covering one of his fights was always something I hoped I'd do. Thailand finally gave me that opportunity.

At last getting the chance to cover Fury felt special, much like travelling to Miami to cover Anthony Joshua against Jake Paul last December. Neither contest carried much competitive intrigue, but both meant something to the younger version of me who used to watch their fights in wonder.

Nothing was going to dampen my mood as I headed for the Max Muay Thai Stadium. Not even the torrential rain that swept across Pattaya. Roads became rivers and our taxi resembled a speedboat as it forced its way through floodwater spilling into shops and restaurants. The venue itself was brilliant. Barely 1,500 seats rose steeply around the ring, making every view feel like ringside. Once it filled, the place became an oven. Sweat dripped onto my laptop as I waited for Fury to emerge.

I knew the fight itself would be little more than a glorified sparring session. What I didn't expect was how uncomfortable it would feel watching it. The speed wasn't there. The reactions weren't there. Even against an over the hill 46-year-old Mariusz Wach there were moments where I caught myself thinking, “This isn't the Tyson Fury who beat Klitschko. This isn't the Fury who rose from the canvas against Wilder. This wasn't the fighter I'd grown up watching.”

After filing my report I hurried towards the changing rooms. A crowd had already gathered, held back by security while fans and videographers tried to catch a glimpse of Fury. I managed to slip through and made a run for the big man who had made his way into the car park. He was halfway into his car by the time I got to him, but he still generously gave me a few lines.

"It went really well," Fury told me. "I got a good seven rounds in, plenty of punches landed, entertained everybody, had a good time. I got out of there in one piece and I'll go home to my family."

Fury will surely know deep down that the fight did not go well. I could see it in his eyes; he knew he was far from his best. Perhaps it was the alien environment or some complacency, perhaps he’ll be better next time. I’d always fancied Fury to deal with Joshua rather easily, but after that showing, I wasn’t so sure anymore.

Fury then got in his car and headed to the airport. I was certain that he was on his way to Saudi Arabia to observe Joshua’s contest with Kristian Prenga and confront his long-time rival should he win. 

***

On Saturday, it turned out Fury had been telling the truth all week. He did not fly to Saudi Arabia to watch Joshua. He probably won't have regretted missing it, either.

Joshua, in what was supposed to be routine night's work against Kristian Prenga, was dropped by the first meaningful punch he absorbed. He then recovered from two knockdowns to win comfortably enough. Like Fury, he achieved exactly what the evening was designed to achieve: keeping alive a fight that should have happened years ago. 

I had been worried about Fury getting in a ring with Joshua, such was his decline, but after watching Joshua I wasn’t too sure who looked worse. The Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua I grew up watching no longer exist. That doesn't mean they can't still produce a compelling fight against each other. In fact, perhaps they're now more evenly matched than ever. 

But I think this week I let go of any sentiment I held for the fight. They’re clearly not the same two fighters who I stayed up late watching as a teenager, and if it ends up in the US I’m no longer that bothered. We can’t deny them the fight, however. But it should be their last. 

At one point it was the biggest fight in the sport. Now it’s just a fight.