Tyson Fury: Q&A, Part I

IT7th April, 2009

Since the halcyon days of Rocky Marciano the boxing media have been searching for their next 'Great White Hope'.

The Americans thought they had found him in the early 1980s in the shape of 'Gentleman' Gerry Cooney but while Cooney made his mark in the sport (and millions of dollars into the bargain) Larry Holmes showed, crucially, that the game is all about levels.

It's fair to say that big men of a caucasian persuasion haven't been pulling up many trees since but one man could be about to change all that.

He's 6ft 8in, weighs 20-stone trained down and is just 20 years of age. His name is Tyson Fury and he has already been building up a fan base on ITV.

The world really is Fury's oyster in as much as he's a young heavyweight who can really fight. And he's white.

On Saturday he goes for his fifth straight win live on ITV4 when he meets Matthew Ellis, a fighter who ironically was himself once being dubbed as the first 'Billion Dollar Heavyweight'.

In part one of an exclusive interview with ITV Boxing, Fury tells Derek Bilton his thoughts about making the transition from amateur to professional, his fight with Ellis and his excitement at making his American debut later this month on the big Carl Froch v Jermain Taylor bill.

ITV: Tyson, it's Matthew Ellis next for you, a fighter who was getting the big build up himself a few years ago. You have stopped all four pro opponents so far are you confident of making it five stoppage wins in a row?

TF: I'm confident of doing a job on him but I won't be going out there looking for the KO. I'll take my time and sharpen my tools and if the knockout comes, it comes.

ITV:You have taken to the pro game like a duck to water. Even though you enjoyed plenty of success as an amateur did you always feel you'd be better suited to the pros?

TF: Always. My dad was a fighter and a decent pro, but he didn't have any amateur experience at all - not one fight. But it's something I got into when I was younger and enjoyed. I didn't have that many fights as an amateur compared to some and while I bagged a few titles I always felt that I'd be more comfortable in the pro game, feel more at home and that's how it's turning out.

ITV: The vest and headguard aside, what have been the main differences you have noticed since you made your debut in December?

TF: To be honest, it's a totally different sport. It's like night and day. In the amateurs you are schooled to punch a certain way and it's all about scoring points and not getting hit. As a pro, I'm learning down to punch with the knuckles down and the intention now is to smash my opponents up. I'm hitting much harder and it's coming together nicely. Looking back, amateur boxing was like sword fencing in a way so, yes, I'm much more comfortable now.

ITV:Your namesake Mike Tyson was very busy during the early part of his career and we all know what he went on to achieve as a youngster. Is the plan for you to stay active and do your learning on the job so to speak as you build up experience?

TF: That's what we are trying to do. My promoter Mick Hennessy is getting me out regularly and fair play to him. I'm probably the busiest professional prospect in Britain right now and I see it as a good thing. It's OK sparring and all the rest of it but it's during fights and the heat of battle that you do your real learning. Hopefully I can stay busy and I can start getting fights with some of the top-rated Brits who I have been calling out.

ITV:Provided all goes well against Ellis you are set to feature on the undercard of Carl Froch's big WBC super-middleweight title clash with Jermain Taylor at the end of April. How excited are you by the prospect of making your American debut and will it be the first time you have been to the US?

TF: I can't wait to be honest. It should be a great night and I'm well up for it. I have boxed in America before, back in 2007 in a USA v Ireland clash. That was at the Blue Horizon, the venue made famous in the Rocky films and that was some experience. It should be a huge occasion and am well up for it.

ITV:Froch is taking a big gamble going to the US and he's an underdog with the bookies. How do you like his chances against Taylor?

TF: I'll be honest with you, I fancy Carl to do a number on Taylor. Carl can punch and I can see him stopping him in the final third of the fight, something like the 10th round.

# Fury's fight features on Big Fight Live on ITV4 on Saturday, with the bill being topped by the Commonwealth welterweight title fight between Craig Watson and John O'Donnell. Coverage starts at 1945 BST.

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