By Louis Devereux
Like him or not, there’s no denying that Tyson Fury knows how to put on a show. Even when his opponent stays radio silent until fight week, you’re always guaranteed entertainment when the Gypsy King is in town.
A packed crowd, American Pie, and a brutal knockout victory sound like the ingredients to the Tyson Fury cocktail that we have become all too accustomed to in recent years and as for the fight against Whyte, there was very little to report.
The fight started slowly, with not much happening in terms of action. That is until a monstrous uppercut put Dillian Whyte down and out in the sixth round. It was yet another emphatic win for the lineal heavyweight champion, maintaining his undefeated record.
After the fight, Fury announced his retirement from boxing and whilst a win over a domestic rival in front of 94,000 people in Wembley stadium isn’t a bad way to go out, I can’t help but feel as if it’s all a little premature.
Sure, you’ve got casual fans and those who are new to boxing claiming that he’s the greatest ever, but the truth is that there’s plenty more that needs to be done if Fury wants to be heralded amongst the all-time greats.
Ability wise he may be there, but in terms of achievements, he’s not even close yet. He hasn’t even done enough to claim he’s the best of this generation, let alone of all time. He very well may be the best of this generation, but when Fury only holds one quarter of the belts and the other three belong to an undefeated pound for pound top three fighter, I’d say it’s still up for debate.
I personally believe that Oleksander Usyk would come out on top should the two ever meet, and if Tyson Fury does actually retire without fighting him, then that’s all the proof I need that Fury, deep down, feels the same way.
If the desire to truly be the best is still there, then now is not the time to call it quits
That fight simply needs to happen, or else there can never be a definitive answer to who the best really is. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that the winner could be considered an all-time great, and (for me anyway) would sit somewhere between 15-10 amongst the greatest heavyweights of all time.
If Tyson Fury wants to retire and set off into the sunset making millions from exhibitions with UFC fighters and appearances in the WWE, then no one can begrudge him. He’s earned the right to call it a day if he wants to. He will retire happy, healthy, remembered as a pretty good fighter.
However, If the desire to truly be the best is still there, then now is not time to call it quits. There is a 6-foot 3 Ukrainian enigma looming in the distance, casting a shadow over the Gypsy King’s legacy and if Fury truly wants to stamp his name in the history books as the greatest of this era, then he needs to conquer his fellow champion, sooner or later.
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