By Jake Tiernan: Eddie Hearn says that WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is “bizarre” for him turning down potential mega-fights in opposition to Anthony Joshua & Oleksandr Usyk, which might assist him create an enduring legacy.
Fury mentioned this week throughout his press convention with former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou that he views Joshua & Usyk as not price his time to battle.
The fights that he needs are Jon Jones & Ngannou within the cage, and Fury didn’t sound like he was joking. He had a glance on his face like he was as severe as a coronary heart assault.
Whereas this will appear odd to Hearn & the typical boxing fan, it’s truly fairly regular. Fury is a product of an individual who has grow to be eccentric because of large wealth. When folks grow to be extremely rich, they usually do no matter they please and the heck with what the general public needs.
Fury hasn’t gotten to the Howard Hughes degree of eccentricity, isolating himself, sitting bare in a darkish room, utilizing tissue papers to the touch objects.
With a web price estimated at $65 million and sure heading to $100 million if it’s not already there, together with his fights Ngannou & Jon Jones, Fury seems to now not really feel he ought to be confined by what is predicted of him as a holder of a world title belt.
As such, as a substitute of Fury combating the fellows the boxing public needs him to compete in opposition to, Joshua & Usyk, he’s selecting Nganou, Jones, Dereck Chisora & Dillian Whyte.
“He mentioned he’s not all for AJ, he’s not all for undisputed, he’s not all for [Oleksandr] Usyk. He says he simply needs the ‘Massive Boys,’ however I don’t know who is greater than these two,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Professional Boxing Champions, reacting to Tyson Fury saying this week that he has little interest in combating Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk.
“There’s large cash for these fights, and there’s legacy for these fights, so hopefully, he [Fury] needs to create a terrific legacy in boxing. He could also be one of many best heavyweights of all time. I feel he ought to attempt to show it,” mentioned Hearn.
Fury is being paid effectively by the Saudis to battle non-boxer Ngannou on October twenty eighth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so there’s no want for him to threat his cover combating Joshua or Usyk.
The Saudis will possible proceed to pay Fury large cash for his crossover fights in opposition to MMA guys. Yeah, it’s offputting to the typical boxing fan, however there are a variety of casuals who love this type of factor.
Along with his increasing waistline & advancing age, the 35-year-old Fury goes to go within the route of the straightforward cash in opposition to non-boxers, so long as somebody is keen to pay. As Evander Holyfield as soon as mentioned, ‘Individuals love to do the straightforward factor,’ and Fury is a basic instance of that.
What’s going to be attention-grabbing is to seee how lengthy the WBC permits Fury to carry onto their title earlier than they strip him for failing to defend it.
“You’ll be able to’t [claim you’re one of the best heavyweights of all time],” mentioned Hearn when advised that British Youtuber True Geordie mentioned that Fury is ‘Pathetic, he’s had three title defenses and claiming he’s one of many best of all time.
“He could also be. I feel he’s favourite in opposition to Usyk and favourite in opposition to AJ for the time being, however till he fights them, you may’t say you’re one of many best heavyweights ever, and that’s what’s irritating as a result of he could also be,” mentioned Hearn about Fury.
“In sport, it’s about attempting to show that you simply’re among the best, and when there are bundles of cash that comes with it as effectively, it’s simply bizarre that you simply don’t need to take these battles. However we’ll see what occurs sooner or later, and hopefully, we will get them over the road,” mentioned Hearn a couple of Fury vs. Joshua battle.