Last night, at London’s Excel Arena, undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury ran his record to (23-0) when rival Dereck Chisora was unable to answer the bell for the 11th round. The bout was considered an eliminator for a shot at world champion Wladimir Klitschko, and it appears that Fury expects the bout to happen sometime in the second half of 2015.
Despite Chisora’s renewed outlook on his career, Fury was a (-300) favorite in the fight. Chisora had reeled off five wins in a row prior, and he came in to the fight in probably what was the best shape of his life. Considering their first meeting went to a decision, and Chisora was actually in some of the worst shape of his career for that July 2011 fight, there was hope that he had improved enough to get the win this time.
But from the outset last night, it was clear that Fury was the more improved fighter. The big man showed improved mobility and precision, as he boxed and used his jab to stop Chisora in his tracks and not allow him on the inside. Though there were no knock downs, but despite Fury’s size and his increased motion and activity, it was Chisora who withered under the assault. By the seventh he was landing at will, and by the 10th he was pounding Chisora in his most dominant round yet. Fury also flashed some technique, switching to using a southpaw stance throughout the fight in a move that clearly put Chisora on his back foot.
Fury earned the British and Commonwealth titles in the process. Klitschko apparently can book a fight in March or April before Fury would become the mandatory, so the match is going to be targeted for the second half of 2015. Fury will likely look to stay busy and fight in the early part of 2015 as well, since he has spent a good part of the last 2 years having fights cancelled and postponed.
The fight is out there if you want to see it. Here is the weigh in video of about five minutes that has a taste of the angst between the two.
