By Terence Dooley
World heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) has spoken exclusively to BoxingScene.com to discuss the news of an IBF heavyweight title showdown between domestic rival Anthony Joshua and America's current holder Charles Martin.
Fury was stripped of the title after opting against the IBF’s decision to force mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov on him following his decision win over Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in November. Unsurprisingly, Fury has instead decided to take up the option of his contractual return with Wlad rather than meet Glazkov. Martin picked up the vacant belt courtesy of a third-round TKO win in January following Fury's decision to vacate the title.
The new titlist wasted no time in setting up his maiden defence; he will travel to the U.K. to meet Joshua on April 9 at London’s O2 Arena in a fight that will shown live on Sky Sports Box Office here in the U.K. Fury told BoxingScene that it is an intriguing fight in prospect.
“Both of them are big heavyweights, both have a big chance of winning—it’s a good fight,” he said. “I am happy for him (Joshua), I hope he wins obviously so I can get a big slice of the cake by fighting him.”
However, there is the small matter of a Klitschko rematch as well as Martin-Joshua before we can even begin to count the money that an all-British heavyweight clash would bring in. Fury, though, told me that he could earn without Joshua now that he is in possession of the richest prize in sport.
“Look, I am heavyweight Champion so any fight I have makes a lot of money for me,” he said. “I don’t mind who I fight. I am going to make my money anyway no matter who wins.
“It is a good fight for them both because it is 50-50 and no foregone conclusion. It is a gamble (for Joshua), but why not go for for a world title? It is a potential banana skin against a big southpaw who throws punches in bunches, not a lot of heavyweights do that.”
Peter Fury told BoxingScene that he has marked Martin down as a slight favourite going in despite British bookies posting odds of 7-1 against him. Fury echoed his uncle’s note of caution and is especially impressed with the American’s lean physique.
“He has not got too much muscle, has he?” he said. “He’s a little like me, naturally built but became world champion anyway. Sometimes you don’t need to be a bodybuilding type in boxing. Not having muscles doesn’t mean you can’t fight, and having muscles doesn’t always mean you can.”
Speaking of big fights, Fury is in negotiations with Klitschko over a rematch, so I asked him if he could give us a few insights as to how that one is going, a date and venue would be of particular use. “That is none of your business, mate, none of your business,” was his jocular response to BoxingScene’s request.
Fury has now had time to settle into life as a Champion, he told me that he is waiting on his next fight date, but will not risk going into the gym and either picking up a niggle or over training by starting camp without a date and venue already set.
“I am a little fatter, a little bit richer and a little bit balder, so it doesn’t make any difference,” he said when asked how it feels to be heavyweight champion.
“I am in a better position financially now. I am not even back in training yet, I’m waiting on a date. I don’t want to go back into the gym or camp without one and too early. I’m busy enjoying life as Champion of the world.”
Please send news and views to @Terryboxing.
