Crease wrote:Well there's a bit more to it than that. And considering what way their careers have went since then, makes it an absurdly laughable comment.Ricky_ wrote:Fury is an arsepiece that ducked out of defending his "british title" against the big punching David Price, who was knocking everyone out in 1 or 2 rounds, in favour for fighting for the Irish title against 42 year old Taxi Driver.
Consider accusing THE MAN who defeated Wladimir Klitchsko of "ducking" a boxer who found his level against Tony Thomspon (twice) and Erkan Teper is ludicrous.
There's a bit of a backstory to the Fury vs Rogan fight - is was for the Irish Heavyweight Title (not exactly a big deal, I grant you) and it was a fight that held meaning for Tyson. Back in 2008, he applied for an Irish passport and was rejected. So that scuppered his dream of going to the Olympics and fighting for Ireland.
But it hurt Tyson much more than that, he seen it as an attack on his nationality, all the gypsies in Salford (at Paddy Doherty's caravan site) consider themselves Irish Travelers'. So gaining an Irish passport and fighting for the Irish Heavyweight Title validated his identity.
Also, the taxi driver in question was Martin Rogan - who was the original Prizefighter Champion and also accumulated the Commonwealth Title after that, so he wasn't exactly the no-hoper that some people make him out to be.
Come off it mate, he ducked Pricey shamelessly. Rogie was stitched up as well, the irish belt by the looks of it is just a gimmick but one fought for 10 rounds if i'm not mistaken... and Hennessey pulled a fast 1 at the last minute to get the bout sanctioned for 12.... with old cabbie Rogan having trained for 10. Fury being a young fitter fighter was already boxing 12 rounders.
As for Price, it's all very well having the benefit of hindsight. Are you saying Price wasn't a better opponent than Rogan? Price beat Fury easily when they met in the amateurs, and has the ability in his right hand to knock him out, he was an infinitely better and more dangerous opponent than Rogan was. There was also no rush for this "irish belt", if he really wanted it for sentiment like you allude to, then he could have fought for it any time he wanted, by the looks of it the Irish HW title is fought for on average about once every 15 years.
Regardless, even if we take the parts of your posts about Fury's Irish identity as being true, then it reinforces my point quoting HomocideHenry who alluded to the lack of British support for Tyson in comparison to Joshua being down to some kind of anti-traveller bigotry. 1 of the points i mentioned was that Tyson himself seems more keen to align himself with either an Irish identity or an Irish fanbase. So in regard to Homocide's point, i don't think you can enter into the ring wearing a green and gold robe to a chorus of the Boys of the Old Brigade (like he did when he boxed in America) and then blame the prejudice on the British public's part for his lack of a fanbase.
Throw in a clumsy, boring style, blatant ducks (price) and pretty outspoken & intolerant views behind the guise of religion, and you've hardly got the making of the next Ricky Hatton.
