The Gypsy King charms America, and keeps himself firmly in world title contention
As if losing to rank outsider Andy Ruiz Jr two weeks ago wasn’t bad enough for Anthony Joshua, he will have witnessed Tyson Fury’s brutal demolition of Germany’s Tom Schwarz in the early hours of yesterday morning, retaining his Lineal Champion status. For our former world heavyweight champion, it would have been tough viewing.
It was significant, impressive, and brief. American Referee Kenny Bayless stopping the fight after 2 minutes and 54 seconds of the second round, with Schwarz utterly unable to defend himself any longer.
Whilst Joshua got so much wrong against Ruiz, you have to say Fury got everything pretty much spot-on here, including his American charm offensive, complete with the full Apollo Creed outfit as he entered the ring, the stars and stripes adorning his gown, trunks and top hat – only Tyson Fury, eh?
Fury had both his PR and his punching absolutely on point. The American boxing public seem to be warming to the eccentric Mancunian. His amazing draw against Deontay Wilder last December raising his profile considerably, but also proving to the US market just how good a boxer he is. He remains firmly in the mix for the biggest prize in the heavyweight division.
In the ring, Fury rather took Schwarz back to school. Schwarz was game and willing, but that only gets you so far when you’re in with someone like Fury. Schwarz was picked off with little mercy, Fury’s punching power proving far too much for the unbeaten German.
Fury started round one with his freakishly fast hands much in evidence, throwing good combinations. He looked absolutely focused and in the mood. Schwarz kept a very high guard, venturing forward whenever he could. Fury’s left jab was impressive.
Round two opened with Fury switching to southpaw, moving well and beginning to hurt Schwarz with that jab and his sheer precision. Schwarz briefly had Fury in a corner but Fury extricated himself superbly with a good left hook. A terrific right/left combination followed, with the straight left piercing his opponents high guard to stinging effect, bloodying his face in the process.
Schwarz had Fury on the ropes, throwing 6 or 7 decent shots from both wings, but Fury somehow swayed and ducked his way out of the reach of every shot – his speed of movement seriously impressive for such a big man.
Another Fury combo, finishing with a sweet right hand, put Schwarz down for the first time in his career. He made the count, but then found himself getting a thorough pummeling in the corner. He had no answer to the barrage and thankfully Kenny Bayless called a halt, the towel simultaneously being thrown in from Schwarz’s corner. Game well and truly over for the plucky but outclassed German.
Fury celebrated royally, as you’d imagine. He’d put on a terrific show – both in and out of the ring. With performances like this, he keeps his stock high and retains his place in the higher reaches of the heavyweight pecking order, alongside Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr. And if Anthony Joshua doesn’t get his place back within the top dogs at the first opportunity, he risks being cast adrift for good.
Sadly, the machinations of the various governing bodies, TV broadcasters and promoters don’t always provide the fights we desperately want to see. But we live in hope that at some point in the not too distant future, there will be a genuine unification bout, to crown the first truly undisputed world heavyweight champion since our own Lennox Lewis, nearly 20 years ago. Personally, I can’t wait.
By Chris Tribe
17th June 2019
Copyright © 2019 Chris Tribe. All Rights Reserved.
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