Tyson Fury legacy

[Thunder and Lightning]

Hypothetically if Tyson Fury ends up getting blasted out by Wilder and then goes back to endless buffees and coke for the rest of his days, would he then be considered one of if not the worst HW champ in history?

He has one legit good one over the undisputed champ who was at the end of his carreer, after that there is not much to talk about and said undisputed champ never got his rematch and if Wilder (whos own greatness is very debateble) kos him were does that put Fury?

[Controversial]

He has a pretty weak resume, one good win (which was pretty dire to watch) doesn't define a career. Certainly not a name that would spring to mind when discussing great fighters. To be great you need to have longevity or at least have beaten several of the top men of the division. Buster Douglas had a far better win over Mike Tyson.

[DrDuke]

How can you talk about his legacy now? He's an active fighter in his prime. You have already buried him for yourself, but what if he handles Wilder? And those evaluations of things, that only possibly can be, are exercises in futility.

[HomicideHenry]

I don't like talking about fighters who are still actively pursuing their careers in their apparent primes--- the story is not yet over and there's no telltale sign of him being "spent" or "done".

That being said, he won the undisputed lineal title in his 25th pro contest. Compare that figure to the likes of Mike Tyson (27 fights), Lennox Lewis (22 fights), Joe Louis (32 fights), etc he's certainly on the same athletic playing field as the champions of old.

As for his era, it is/was comparable to the 1980s where the heavyweights were not particularly the creme de la creme--- but the passed few years it has picked up in talent. Britain is exploding in heavyweight gold, as is the former Soviet Union, and even America is gaining traction. I'd argue it's better than the Lewis era of the late 90s early 2000s.

Wladimir Klitschko is the biggest name on his record, and was the only man to ever out-box the former gold medalist. Klitschko may have been getting long in the tooth, but, he was champion for eight years with 20'something defenses and hadn't lost in ten years. For those who try to diminish the accomplishment--- yet praise AJ's fight with an older, more inactive Klitschko--- remember that styles mean a lot and Joshua fought life and death with Klitschko whereas Fury befuddled him. Joshua may have been more fun, but, Fury did something master-class.

As for the man himself, he's a very tricky puzzle for anyone past or present. He's 6'9" and is mobile, nimble, and quick. He can switch hit and has amazing footwork for someone that big. High ring IQ and alot of heart and determination; you don't fight in other people's backyard's and fight all these eliminators and NOT have that. However--- his biggest weakness is himself, he can let his ego get in the way of the task at hand, much like Lennox Lewis.

At present time, he is the best of the heavyweights. If he loses to Wilder it can be chalked up more to inactivity and the abuse he put on his body for nearly three years--- but, he's still young and shouldn't be written off by anyone. When Muhammad Ali got hog fat in his inactivity and lost to Frazier EVERYONE said he was finished. But a man with incredible self belief and talent, especially one who once knew greatness, can rule the world again.

If he wins, it'll be the comeback of the decade (imho) and it'll put Anthony Joshua's claim to the throne in doubt as many people think Wilder could have lifted the belts off AJ. But after those two men, what is there exactly to look forward to?

Yes the division is getting better, but there's also an obvious world of difference between those three men and everyone else in the division. In a sense, not much difference between the present time and the era of the 1900s, 1960s, and 1990s where 3-4 men dominated and everyone else was their personal punching bag.

[oogiebe]

I don't like talking about fighters who are still actively pursuing their careers in their apparent primes--- the story is not yet over and there's no telltale sign of him being "spent" or "done".

That being said, he won the undisputed lineal title in his 25th pro contest. Compare that figure to the likes of Mike Tyson (27 fights), Lennox Lewis (22 fights), Joe Louis (32 fights), etc he's certainly on the same athletic playing field as the champions of old.

As for his era, it is/was comparable to the 1980s where the heavyweights were not particularly the creme de la creme--- but the passed few years it has picked up in talent. Britain is exploding in heavyweight gold, as is the former Soviet Union, and even America is gaining traction. I'd argue it's better than the Lewis era of the late 90s early 2000s.

Wladimir Klitschko is the biggest name on his record, and was the only man to ever out-box the former gold medalist. Klitschko may have been getting long in the tooth, but, he was champion for eight years with 20'something defenses and hadn't lost in ten years. For those who try to diminish the accomplishment--- yet praise AJ's fight with an older, more inactive Klitschko--- remember that styles mean a lot and Joshua fought life and death with Klitschko whereas Fury befuddled him. Joshua may have been more fun, but, Fury did something master-class.

As for the man himself, he's a very tricky puzzle for anyone past or present. He's 6'9" and is mobile, nimble, and quick. He can switch hit and has amazing footwork for someone that big. High ring IQ and alot of heart and determination; you don't fight in other people's backyard's and fight all these eliminators and NOT have that. However--- his biggest weakness is himself, he can let his ego get in the way of the task at hand, much like Lennox Lewis.

At present time, he is the best of the heavyweights. If he loses to Wilder it can be chalked up more to inactivity and the abuse he put on his body for nearly three years--- but, he's still young and shouldn't be written off by anyone. When Muhammad Ali got hog fat in his inactivity and lost to Frazier EVERYONE said he was finished. But a man with incredible self belief and talent, especially one who once knew greatness, can rule the world again.

If he wins, it'll be the comeback of the decade (imho) and it'll put Anthony Joshua's claim to the throne in doubt as many people think Wilder could have lifted the belts off AJ. But after those two men, what is there exactly to look forward to?

Yes the division is getting better, but there's also an obvious world of difference between those three men and everyone else in the division. In a sense, not much difference between the present time and the era of the 1900s, 1960s, and 1990s where 3-4 men dominated and everyone else was their personal punching bag.

While I don't agree with everything you say here, it is an excellent post indeed. Too soon to talk about Fury legacy. Let's re-chat after the Wilder fight IF Fury somehow wins the fight. Even if that happens, it is still too soon to talk legacy. One great win on his resume right now.

[Thunder and Lightning]

I understand the issue With using an active fighter for this, i just enjoy the "what ifs" like take Leon Spinks IF he had gone away after he beat Ali like Fury did after he beat wlad but unlike Fury he remained retired, would he be more highly regarded with just 8 fights or Rocky Marciano lets say he fought Patterson and lost would he still be considered an alltime great at 49-1?
I just like to play with history but i get this might be the wrong forum for it

[gregor]

That being said, he won the undisputed lineal title in his 25th pro contest. Compare that figure to the likes of Mike Tyson (27 fights), Lennox Lewis (22 fights), Joe Louis (32 fights), etc he's certainly on the same athletic playing field as the champions of old.

Or rather roughly 3 years for Mike Tyson and Joe Louis, 4 for Lewis and 7 for Fury

[tiny_acres]

That being said, he won the undisputed lineal title in his 25th pro contest. Compare that figure to the likes of Mike Tyson (27 fights), Lennox Lewis (22 fights), Joe Louis (32 fights), etc he's certainly on the same athletic playing field as the champions of old.

Or rather roughly 3 years for Mike Tyson and Joe Louis, 4 for Lewis and 7 for Fury

I always hate this. Fighters develop at different paces. No 2 fighters are going to have the same path to greatness.
If one can do it in 3 years and one takes 10 years does it change the fact that they both had tremendous accomplishments?
Wait until their careers are over to base their place in history.
Not picking on you for comment just venting

[Onetimeonly]

He would rate below someone like Douglas, but right in the same range. I don't think he'll retire after wilder sparks him anyway. He'll make the same excuses Hank is spewing and build into a fight with aj . You can certainly make the case he's already eclipsed vitali. This would leave him behind wlad, wilder & Josh.

[Ambling Alp II]

Hypothetically if Tyson Fury ends up getting blasted out by Wilder and then goes back to endless buffees and coke for the rest of his days, would he then be considered one of if not the worst HW champ in history?

He has one legit good one over the undisputed champ who was at the end of his carreer, after that there is not much to talk about and said undisputed champ never got his rematch and if Wilder (whos own greatness is very debateble) kos him were does that put Fury?

So so far he has not done anything to put him anywhere near the greats in history. Wilder has not proven he is great, but he done enough to his not a stiff. An impressive win over Wilder would help his case a bit. This is his big chance. He looks bad here, then yes he is one of the worst lineal champs.

[BitPlayer]

I think he'd be considered someone who was possibly great, but only for a very short period, and didn't really prove it.

[dr_devious]

He'd be considered to be a fighter with one great win who then blew his potential

[HomicideHenry]

That being said, he won the undisputed lineal title in his 25th pro contest. Compare that figure to the likes of Mike Tyson (27 fights), Lennox Lewis (22 fights), Joe Louis (32 fights), etc he's certainly on the same athletic playing field as the champions of old.

Or rather roughly 3 years for Mike Tyson and Joe Louis, 4 for Lewis and 7 for Fury

Context is everything. People forget that quite a few matches he prepared for fell through and were wasted training camps. Most famously was David Haye which was postponed twice. There was also the Ustinov fight that fell through. Etc. These add up, ultimately. You say seven years--- but in reality--- he probably had 4-5 years development.