Boxing has a habit of throwing up surprises and sometimes shocking. So, when on a night shift til 7am, last night, I heard the news of an offer to Peter Fury for his son Hughie to fight current WBC Heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder; boxing had more than surprised me. It was the very credible, boxing expert Ingram Jones, of Baylorictv Boxing, that brought the bout to my attention. So, digging deeper I saw tweet’s from Fury Snr, saying that they had been offered the World title shot; on four weeks notice.
Firstly, four weeks notice is appalling for this kind of fight. It smacks of desperation, and even a lack of confidence, by the handlers of Wilder.
Deontay Wilder has been penciled in to defend his belt on September 26th, though no venue has been confirmed. Hughie Fury’s team have said that they will take that fight and on that date, as it gives them the adequate time they need to prepare for a fight of this magnitude.
Deontay Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs), was impressive in taking the belt from Haitian Bermane Stiverne, on a unanimous decision, back in January. He’s made one successful defence, a ninth round TKO of Eric Molina in June. The win over Molina, once again showed Wilders power, after coming back from a hand injury. Though still left question marks about his own vulnerability; as he was shaken up in the fight. Russia’s Alexander Povetkin, is the mandatory contender with the WBC but it looks like Wilder and his handlers are looking to squeeze in as many defences as possible, before being forced to take that fight.
Hughie Fury, cousin of Tyson Fury, is a relative novice in boxing. Only 20-years-old and a professional since 2013, he has won 16 fights. The latest win, via points, was over Brazilian veteran George Arias. Hughie’s best win was back in February, against durable Andriy Rudenko on points. He has yet to contest a national or regional title, so it is a major surprise that he should be getting a shot at a World title. In the latest WBC rankings, he is in 33rd place. An orthodox boxer with good movement, he appears to lack the power to seriously trouble Wilder.
Boxing is full of surprises but if this fight goes through, will it provide a shock?
