Tyson Fury is ready.
As he gears up to take on Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in just over two weeks, he’s packed on more pounds since their first bout as he bids for a knockout blow in their heavyweight rematch. Lean and sharp, many believe he is ready to go all out for the win. Danny Flexen, Content Director of the Seconds Out Live Youtube channel, thinks Fury’s heavier set this time around, could help his focus.
“It's far more about conditioning, functional fitness, than the numbers on the scale. If it means Fury is working more on his boxing and fight-specific tactics than simply losing weight, then it could be beneficial,” he told The Sportsman. “Fury entered the first Wilder fight having lost a significant amount of bodyweight over a long period of time. That must have had lingering effects.”
Not only is the 31-year-old in fine physical condition, looking good after several years of fluctuating weight in between bouts, but, after a public battle with depression, his mind appears in good health too as he gears up for his latest blockbuster fight.
“There were periods under Peter Fury when Tyson appeared in exemplary physical condition but he certainly appears to be in the best psychological and emotional shape of his life,” Flexen added. “He seems comfortable in his own skin and for a fighter like Fury, that could be a hugely significant factor.
“I do worry about his switching from close friend Ben Davison before such an important contest, but if I were forced to choose, I'd favour Fury on points.”
While the focus is on the fighter himself, joining forces with coach Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill will also provide a boost, having himself been tutored by another Fury coach, his uncle. “Fury suggested he hired SugarHill as part of his desire to score a knockout in the rematch,” Flexen explained.
“The new trainer backed this up when he told me Fury wanted to work on technical elements including how to throw certain shots the 'right way'. “More pertinently, however, is something Adam Booth discussed just recently. SugarHill's mentor was, of course, his uncle, the legendary Emanuel Steward, who worked with Fury for a spell.
“Steward was expert in teaching tall, rangy fighters how to optimise their physical advantages. He did so with the likes of Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Lennox Lewis and Fury's old pal Wladimir Klitschko. “If SugarHill has inherited some of those skills then that is a plus for the 'Gypsy King'.”
It seems the pieces have come together for Fury and the chances of a victory are more than good.