Fury. The legacy

[si7dog7]

So where does Fury really rate in the pantheon of Heavyweight Champions?

I’m not a “hater”” because. Fairs, fair. He beat Wlad in Germany. Wlad not in my top 20 tbf. And on a big decline.

He’s beaten the biggest puncher “ever” in Wilder, 2.5 times.

Other than that. Chisora x 3.

And……. Not much else

I got him about top 60 l

[Frostieballs]

TRIGGER ALERT!!

[Coco]

Depends who you think he would beat or are you going by best records

[gregregegg]

By records not very good. klit was 39, i didnt rate wilder befor they fought so dont rate him now, chisora and whyte are eh(on an altime great disscussion scale).... hammer and otto? hahah wow.

as for who he would beat, i have been in the "he would beat em all" camp for a bit, but im not sure thats true anymore. seems very scared of usyk, and hasnt loved fighting shorter guys. inter era who would beat whos are never very acurate.... well cant be proven so there kinda guesses.

[Redback Rasta]

Legacies are evaluated at the end of careers.

[Coco]

Legacies are evaluated at the end of careers.

Well said

[HomicideHenry]

No opinion until he's officially retired.

If he defeated Usyk and Joshua, he'd certainly be the best of his era and because Usyk is who he is then I'd argue Fury has the potentiality to have beaten most past heavyweight champions. Since neither has happened there's still a question mark on his worth as well as Usyk and Joshua, etc worth as well because quite frankly their records are incomplete.

[Boxerbeetle]

Certainly nowhere near the genuine elite heavies, Fury is miles and miles away from them. A very carefully handled career says it all really.

[maverick23]

Fury could be a legit top 10 great heavyweight. He’s had great wins to win the title against Wlad and Wilder. People sometimes criticise the Wlad win. For me it’s still his best.

Ultimately though his championship defences have been Wilder (in a third fight), Whyte (which I didn’t actually mind) and Chisora in one of the most pointless title defences in recent years.

Now he’s fighting just once this year and it’ll be some sort of exhibition against a debutant that the wbc rightly won’t sanction.

It’s a shame really. He’s often said he wanted to be an active champion (although he contradicts himself more than any boxer I’ve known). If he’d fought Ruiz, Hrgovic, Usyk this year and won them you could genuinely argue him being a top 5 heavyweight of all time.

[mickey1975]

Top 20 so far. Unbeaten. That will count for a lot if it stays the same. I expect he will be mentioned as top ten by most, just as Mike Tyson is although in my eyes he is just outside. The vast majority of people just don’t have the time or interest to scrutinise the records intensely. I see the AJ fight as a formality but beating Usyk would be nice. No doubt on here he will be ridiculously low but this isn’t a genuine reflection of people’s opinion, The undefeated heavyweight champion of the world who conquered mental health, WWE and the UFC, what a legacy.

[tonyevs]

To get rated highly, i think it's more than just who they fought and beat .. it's also when they fought them. Trying to fantasise them fighting each other is silly because it's impossible to do so means nothing.

As already said, Fury's career isn't officially over yet, and there may emerge his White whale to achieve greatness like the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lewis/Mike Tyson.

Currently I rate him on par with Nik Valuev who also beat an ancient Holyfield as Fury beat an ancient Wlad, along with a couple not too highly regarded 'name' guys.

[a force]

It’s hard to rank him highly given the doping ban & then the more recent links to Dr Uz, Conor Benn’s doctor.

His whole career has a big asterisk at the side of it for me.

[mickey1975]

To get rated highly, i think it's more than just who they fought and beat .. it's also when they fought them. Trying to fantasise them fighting each other is silly because it's impossible to do so means nothing.

As already said, Fury's career isn't officially over yet, and there may emerge his White whale to achieve greatness like the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lewis/Mike Tyson.

Currently I rate him on par with Nik Valuev who also beat an ancient Holyfield as Fury beat an ancient Wlad, along with a couple not too highly regarded 'name' guys.

Out of interest, who were Mike Tyson, Lennox and Holyfields ‘White Whale’?

[The Docker]

I think it will be evaluated on the Wilder fights and turning up at a presser dressed as batman. Pretty indicative of his career to be fair, most of it meandering along avoiding certain big guns but still headlining due to his expertise of exploiting social media. He craves to be relevant and still is to all but who know the fight game. Piss poor resume, piss poor ambition and an all round piss poor belt holder. Had talent in abundance too.

[mickey1975]

How many won their title away from home (twice), climed off the deck to win, dethroned a peak, undefeated knockout artist and were big underdogs in their attempts?

[tigermoth87]

Fury would whoop any of the past heavyweights, with the possible exception of Vitaly and Lennox because athletes get better with every generation.

The short-arses from the 70s and 80s wouldnt stand a chance.

[Boxerbeetle]

Athletes definitely don’t get better with every generation. Improvements within sports generally come from better technology and training facilities, along with other, erm, ‘medical enhancements’, and most of these are still fairly marginal gains in the grand scheme of things.

But I personally think boxing is something of an anomaly anyway. The standard of coaching alone is miles away from what it used to be, not to mention the lack of experience and toughness which comes from having far fewer regular fights. And the idea that this heavyweight generation is ‘better’ than previous ones is actually laughable when you watch them in action.

[mike john]

highlights of furys career - a very good win over klitschko and a decent win over wilder, who himself doesnt have a single standout win on his record.
if fury retired today, bottom of the top 30.
if he goes on to beat usyk, top 25.
a win over joshua at this point is relatively meaningless, legacy wise.

[Ezzard]

A brilliant boxer who is versatile and adaptable. He suffers like many contemporary fighters who just don't have the sheer number of fights against the top guys to break into that legend status.

The fights are there for him. Usyk, Ruiz, Joshua, Joyce, Zhang, Hrg... My guess is Tyson knows he's getting on and wants to make what he can before the light goes out on his career. He wouldn't be the first.

His journey has been hugely entertaining.

[jtourettes]

It all depends on what he does with the remainder of his career. If he finishes without facing (and beating!) at least Usyk, it won't be much to write home about. Unlike some on here, I rate the Kilt win. The wilder wins, whilst exciting fights, aren't particularly impressive for a legacy, as wilder's record wasn't exactly a murderers row of opponents. If wilder goes on to defeat AJ and Usyk then obviously that opinion will be revised by myself.

Fury's career is a source of frustration for me as he seems to have all the ability in the world for a big man but doesn't take any chances unless he really has to or he's backed into it.

[jtourettes]

It all depends on what he does with the remainder of his career. If he finishes without facing (and beating!) at least Usyk, it won't be much to write home about. Unlike some on here, I rate the Kilt win. The wilder wins, whilst exciting fights, aren't particularly impressive for a legacy, as wilder's record wasn't exactly a murderers row of opponents. If wilder goes on to defeat AJ and Usyk then obviously that opinion will be revised by myself.

Fury's career is a source of frustration for me as he seems to have all the ability in the world for a big man but doesn't take any chances unless he really has to or he's backed into it.

[tonyevs]

To get rated highly, i think it's more than just who they fought and beat .. it's also when they fought them. Trying to fantasise them fighting each other is silly because it's impossible to do so means nothing.

As already said, Fury's career isn't officially over yet, and there may emerge his White whale to achieve greatness like the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lewis/Mike Tyson.

Currently I rate him on par with Nik Valuev who also beat an ancient Holyfield as Fury beat an ancient Wlad, along with a couple not too highly regarded 'name' guys.

Out of interest, who were Mike Tyson, Lennox and Holyfields ‘White Whale’?

Mike Tyson's peak was very short; a lot shorter than his actual fighting career. But he fought and cleared out his division (pre-prison era)to prove he was the best of that era. Some/lots argue it was a week era, but it was no weaker than Fury's era which he has failed to try and dominate over.

Lennon X fought many talented and proven guys. I see no reason to even need to identify who he fought and beat. And despite the couple devastating losses he proved greatness to prove his overall dominance in the rematches.

Holyfield again is a proven warrior with many examples to prove it. Yes there are question marks over his PED use, but unlike Fury, Holyfield never got actually caught whilst boxing his biggest wins using them.

Fury has stayed relevant by talking nonsense more than fighting. Wlad was at end of his career and Wilder as already said has no stand out wins of any consequence.
Unfortunately for Fury, at this time even if Fury fights AJ and wins it won't mean anything because AJ is regarded 'a shadow of himself' and on a steep decline after 3 losses this far.
A win over Usyk wouldn't cement Fury's greatness because after all 'the middleweight' is so small ..

Fury could and should have tried to prove his dominance over his era already, but for reasons of greed or cowardice he didn't. I don't see who will prove the great fighter Fury must beat to elevate himself and cement a positive legacy among the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lennox/Mike Tysons

[mickey1975]

To get rated highly, i think it's more than just who they fought and beat .. it's also when they fought them. Trying to fantasise them fighting each other is silly because it's impossible to do so means nothing.

As already said, Fury's career isn't officially over yet, and there may emerge his White whale to achieve greatness like the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lewis/Mike Tyson.

Currently I rate him on par with Nik Valuev who also beat an ancient Holyfield as Fury beat an ancient Wlad, along with a couple not too highly regarded 'name' guys.

Out of interest, who were Mike Tyson, Lennox and Holyfields ‘White Whale’?

Mike Tyson's peak was very short; a lot shorter than his actual fighting career. But he fought and cleared out his division (pre-prison era)to prove he was the best of that era. Some/lots argue it was a week era, but it was no weaker than Fury's era which he has failed to try and dominate over.

Lennon X fought many talented and proven guys. I see no reason to even need to identify who he fought and beat. And despite the couple devastating losses he proved greatness to prove his overall dominance in the rematches.

Holyfield again is a proven warrior with many examples to prove it. Yes there are question marks over his PED use, but unlike Fury, Holyfield never got actually caught whilst boxing his biggest wins using them.

Fury has stayed relevant by talking nonsense more than fighting. Wlad was at end of his career and Wilder as already said has no stand out wins of any consequence.
Unfortunately for Fury, at this time even if Fury fights AJ and wins it won't mean anything because AJ is regarded 'a shadow of himself' and on a steep decline after 3 losses this far.
A win over Usyk wouldn't cement Fury's greatness because after all 'the middleweight' is so small ..

Fury could and should have tried to prove his dominance over his era already, but for reasons of greed or cowardice he didn't. I don't see who will prove the great fighter Fury must beat to elevate himself and cement a positive legacy among the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lennox/Mike Tysons

You have Berbick above Wlad? Wow. Tucker? You can't count Spinks because he is a hell of a lot smaller than Usyk!
Who was Lennox's white whale? Mercer? Vitali? He showed heart against both, I will give him that but it was hardly Ali v Shavers.
Yes Evander is a proven warrior, but with many losses, including to your favourite fighter Valuev!

[tonyevs]

Out of interest, who were Mike Tyson, Lennox and Holyfields ‘White Whale’?

Mike Tyson's peak was very short; a lot shorter than his actual fighting career. But he fought and cleared out his division (pre-prison era)to prove he was the best of that era. Some/lots argue it was a week era, but it was no weaker than Fury's era which he has failed to try and dominate over.

Lennon X fought many talented and proven guys. I see no reason to even need to identify who he fought and beat. And despite the couple devastating losses he proved greatness to prove his overall dominance in the rematches.

Holyfield again is a proven warrior with many examples to prove it. Yes there are question marks over his PED use, but unlike Fury, Holyfield never got actually caught whilst boxing his biggest wins using them.

Fury has stayed relevant by talking nonsense more than fighting. Wlad was at end of his career and Wilder as already said has no stand out wins of any consequence.
Unfortunately for Fury, at this time even if Fury fights AJ and wins it won't mean anything because AJ is regarded 'a shadow of himself' and on a steep decline after 3 losses this far.
A win over Usyk wouldn't cement Fury's greatness because after all 'the middleweight' is so small ..

Fury could and should have tried to prove his dominance over his era already, but for reasons of greed or cowardice he didn't. I don't see who will prove the great fighter Fury must beat to elevate himself and cement a positive legacy among the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lennox/Mike Tysons

You have Berbick above Wlad? Wow. Tucker? You can't count Spinks because he is a hell of a lot smaller than Usyk!
Who was Lennox's white whale? Mercer? Vitali? He showed heart against both, I will give him that but it was hardly Ali v Shavers.
Yes Evander is a proven warrior, but with many losses, including to your favourite fighter Valuev!

You know all too well how meaningless it is to compare fighters from different eras and trying to fantasise who'd win against Berbick v Wlad .. that's just being silly. You can only compare a boxer against those in their own era - and how he did against them.

Fury started superbly by taking the opportunity and beating the old champ Wlad .. but then imploded when caught using PEDs.

Fury then again did superb by taking on an unbeaten , and then, highly regarded champion. But again that imploded and he has found himself back in the position of having very few fans and getting ridiculed by most on social media.

The comparison to Valuev is accurate. What has Wilder done to place himself higher than what Valuev had on his record?

[mickey1975]

Mike Tyson's peak was very short; a lot shorter than his actual fighting career. But he fought and cleared out his division (pre-prison era)to prove he was the best of that era. Some/lots argue it was a week era, but it was no weaker than Fury's era which he has failed to try and dominate over.

Lennon X fought many talented and proven guys. I see no reason to even need to identify who he fought and beat. And despite the couple devastating losses he proved greatness to prove his overall dominance in the rematches.

Holyfield again is a proven warrior with many examples to prove it. Yes there are question marks over his PED use, but unlike Fury, Holyfield never got actually caught whilst boxing his biggest wins using them.

Fury has stayed relevant by talking nonsense more than fighting. Wlad was at end of his career and Wilder as already said has no stand out wins of any consequence.
Unfortunately for Fury, at this time even if Fury fights AJ and wins it won't mean anything because AJ is regarded 'a shadow of himself' and on a steep decline after 3 losses this far.
A win over Usyk wouldn't cement Fury's greatness because after all 'the middleweight' is so small ..

Fury could and should have tried to prove his dominance over his era already, but for reasons of greed or cowardice he didn't. I don't see who will prove the great fighter Fury must beat to elevate himself and cement a positive legacy among the Louis/Ali/Holyfield/Lennox/Mike Tysons

You have Berbick above Wlad? Wow. Tucker? You can't count Spinks because he is a hell of a lot smaller than Usyk!
Who was Lennox's white whale? Mercer? Vitali? He showed heart against both, I will give him that but it was hardly Ali v Shavers.
Yes Evander is a proven warrior, but with many losses, including to your favourite fighter Valuev!

You know all too well how meaningless it is to compare fighters from different eras and trying to fantasise who'd win against Berbick v Wlad .. that's just being silly. You can only compare a boxer against those in their own era - and how he did against them.

Fury started superbly by taking the opportunity and beating the old champ Wlad .. but then imploded when caught using PEDs.

Fury then again did superb by taking on an unbeaten , and then, highly regarded champion. But again that imploded and he has found himself back in the position of having very few fans and getting ridiculed by most on social media.

The comparison to Valuev is accurate. What has Wilder done to place himself higher than what Valuev had on his record?

I am guessing you know Valuev won a vacant title, at home, against John Ruiz? I think we will leave that there.