photos: Chris Royle
Current English heavyweight titlist Tyson Fury will take on fellow unbeaten prospect Rich Power at London’s York Hall, this Friday, Sept. 10, on Showtime. Fury took time out to field some questions before this highly anticipated bout.
Born prematurely at one pound, Fury (11-0, 9 KOs) has grown into his six-foot-nine frame and status as one of Britain’s most talked about heavyweights.
Power (12-0, 9 KOs) is a 30-year-old southpaw from Keego Harbor, MI.
In the main event, former Commonwealth champion John O’Donnell (23-1, 11 KOs) takes on his toughest opponent to date in a 12-round battle against New Jersey’s Terrence “Heat” Cauthen (35-6, 9 KOs), a 1996 Olympic bronze medalist.
Fury recently answered six questions:
Question: What would becoming the next British heavyweight champion mean to you?
Fury: “It would mean everything to me. I’ve said it before, I’m the best heavyweight in Britain, aside from David Haye, and I just want the chance to prove it.”
Question: You come from a boxing family on both sides. Have you ever thought about doing something else? What would it be?
Fury: “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m not much good at anything else. I’m a fighter, a boxer. That’s what I’ve always wanted to be and who I am. I grew up around boxing. My grandfather was also a fighter, his brother was a fighter. Most of my cousins, they’re all boxers, as well. My grandfather was a bare-knuckle champion in the UK.”
Question: You were named after Mike Tyson? What other boxers did you idolize growing up?
Fury: “I was born in 1988 and that’s when Tyson was knocking out all those guys. My dad (former professional fighter John Fury) was just beginning his career then. He wanted to have a slugger just like Mike Tyson so that’s what he named me. I respect boxing’s history. I’m a fan of all the greats, Ali, Frazier and Lennox Lewis.”
Question: Because of your height, do you think you would match up well against Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko as opposed to other shorter heavyweights?
Fury: “I’m six-foot-nine inches and have the world’s second longest reach behind Nikolay Valuev. It’s a definite advantage and will only help me once I face one of the Klitschkos and finally get my shot for a world title.”
Question: When do you think that will be?
Fury: “I’m leaving that up to my promoters but God willing it will come sooner rather than later. I’ve been knocking on the door for awhile now and I’m ready to explode onto the scene. Be ready, because I’m coming.”
Question: There are some that have called you over-hyped. How do respond to that?
Fury: “There will always be many of those who are critical. That’s why they’re called critics. I don’t care what they say. Just watch out for me. I’m not afraid of anyone. My opponents don’t want to see me when I get worked up or angry in the ring. It only works to my advantage when I do. That’s when I’m at my best.”
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