The Hughie Fury Way.

[mickey1975]

Doesn't Peter have to justify everything he spends to the authorities?

[rm1]

presumably this is why he can get so many fights? also it won't be long before the investment pays off as Hughie should make it to world level although i think they are rushing him as he is not fully grown yet.

[rm1]

presumably this is why he can get so many fights?

If you've got a licence and enough money to cover the cost of an opponent, you can pretty much get on any card you want anywhere in the world.

That was my point.

[mickey1975]

presumably this is why he can get so many fights?

If you've got a licence and enough money to cover the cost of an opponent, you can pretty much get on any card you want anywhere in the world.

That don't require a visa...

[palooka]

If Hughie is being bankrolled through then that seems a better way for a talent than being tied to a particular promoter; there are too many very good fighters that are inactive and suffer for it.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

His standard of opponent so far has been so poor that is there any real point bankrolling these type of fights ? I'd imagine he'd gain more value by sparring some of the top names in the gym.

[DMA1987]

His standard of opponent so far has been so poor that is there any real point bankrolling these type of fights ? I'd imagine he'd gain more value by sparring some of the top names in the gym.

Its good to get ring time too. Plus he is building a record, which rightly or wrongly is important. Plus his fighting often and getting exposure gets people talking about him, more so than quality sparring would.

[rm1]

His standard of opponent is better than many fighters ranked above him-the danger is that they step him up too quickly before he has the strength to cope with better fighters.

[mickey1975]

His standard of opponent so far has been so poor that is there any real point bankrolling these type of fights ? I'd imagine he'd gain more value by sparring some of the top names in the gym.

He spars his cousin all the time and also, I would imagine, whoever they bring in to spar Tyson,

[ReggieDiggs]

he'll be fighting for a world title by the time he's 20. They're doing it the right way.

Idk about this. HW seems a tougher nut to crack title wise then other divisions. I can't think of too many guys who got a HW title shot within 2 years. Mike is the first guy who comes to mind, but obviously he was a force of nature. Idk if Hughie is a force of nature or even can become one. Can't imagine there are very many others who got a HW title shot within 2yrs. If Hughie can just get a title shot within two years that would be impressive in my mind regardless if he wins or loses.

[lefty]

If Hughie is being bankrolled through then that seems a better way for a talent than being tied to a particular promoter

; there are too many very good fighters that are inactive and suffer for it.

Well he's tied to Hennessy isnt he?

[lefty]

If Hughie is being bankrolled through then that seems a better way for a talent than being tied to a particular promoter; there are too many very good fighters that are inactive and suffer for it.

Agreed. A capitalist approach isn't the best approach for regular, quality boxing. Of course the risk of being a bankrolled gladiator is that you'll get fed to the lions but if the guy with the bank roll is your dad, that's not going to happen, at least not on purpose.

So I think this set-up is ideal for everybody, including the fans.

Is that definietly the case though? What I mean is Peter could just keep feeding him cans till he's about 50-0 and that clearly wouldnt be in the best interest of the fans.

[lefty]

As we all know, back in the 19th century, wealthy gentlemen would sponsor fighters for sport. It was usually a money losing endeavour, just another hobby or for pride. Unless I'm very much mistaken, Peter & Hughie Fury are a throwback to this bygone era and then some, I think it's great. Peter has a few quid and, from an outsiders point of view, it would seem he's self-funding the project to try and make his lad the best he can be, and not to make a profit or even cover his costs - certainly in the short term. He's taking a risk but where's the fun if you don't? If Hughie makes it, there'll likely be a huge return on the investment - not to mention the fulfilment of a dream, which'll mean more to Peter - and if he doesn't, at least they'll not die wondering.

It's a very unusual way of doing things, unique in modern times (I think). I hope it works out for them.

So how is he bankrolling it anyway? In terms of paying opponents or is there more to it? I have to admit im not familiar with this way of doing things.

[rm1]

The crucial difference betwen Mike Tyson and Hughie is that Tyson was a fully mature man physically at twenty whereas Hughie won't be given his extra size he will mature later thats why i think they are making a mistake pushing him so young -he does however have a lot of potential he just neeeds time to develop fully physically.

[CiganoBoxer]

I am a big Hughie Fury fan , i just would rather them take their time with him and let the lad mature physically , its obvious the lad has skills so whats the rush ?

[lefty]

@Reggie, getting a shot at heavyweight is easier now than it ever has been. Providing you're prepared to sign up to the Klitschko's demanding contracts, you can pretty much walk in off the street and get a crack. People don't because they're connections are greedy/want a better deal.

@Lefty, Peter wants Hughie to become the youngest heavyweight champion of all time; he'll move him on as required. As to bankrolling: pretty much every fighter has to pay for their opponent, most of them do that by selling tickets, I'm sure Hughie will sell some tickets now and over the next few months his following will snowball. But, for now, if Peter can say to a promoter: I'll put Hughie on your show, I'll pay for an opponent and cover his costs, the promoter will snap his hand off and let them get on with it. It boosts the standard of a show without the promoter having to take a risk.

Ah ok. So is it only the guys like Degale ie olympic gold medallists and what have you that can get away with not being ticket sellers? Atleast initially anyway.

[ILikeBeer]

presumably this is why he can get so many fights? also it won't be long before the investment pays off as Hughie should make it to world level although i think they are rushing him as he is not fully grown yet.

Bit early to say stuff like that, aint it?

[HomicideHenry]

Am liking the 18th and 19th century comparisons of how the Fury's do business and the 'Regency Era' of boxing. The term "Put up your Dukes" has nothing to do with fists, but with backers. The man who would become King George IV when he was Prince of Wales was a huge backer for prizefighting in those days, as were many others. In fact, Jack Broughton's amphitheatre was built on the funds of barons, viscounts, etc. and when he lost in his comeback (which also cost the backers alot of funds as they bet on him) against Jack Slack the Polish Butcher boxing became illegalised. Evidentially Parliament was well pissed that government funds were spent and lost on a gamble.

However, you all are forgetting one thing, that at least here in America THAT is how you get things done. If I had a few thousand bucks to throw around, I probably would be 10-1-0 (10) as a boxer by now, because you give the promoter X amount of dollars and they get you a garunteed win. It happens all the time in this sport. Tyson Fury paved the way for Hughie Fury, so that Hennessey buys up the opponents for Team Fury. Now, for Tyson, maybe in the beginning his old man John and his uncle Peter dug deep into their own pockets to get him wins, but that would be somewhat the disgrace to say consider how deeply rich Tyson's amateur record was.

But even if it were the case Peter Fury dug into his own pocket for his son's career, its not like they don't have it to spend considering the Tyson fights, the promotional contract with garuntees you money up front as a carrot to dangle in front of you, and the fact that this kid is getting paid regardless because he is becoming the next new star---- let alone the fact that the gypsy culture is alot like the Amish here in America where a clan/breed pools their incomes together and makes decisions on that money. It's a bit like the film KNUCKLE where the Irish travellers among the McDonagh family pooled together their welfare checks in the hopes that McDonagh would win a fight against a rival clan/breed and winner take all. I can imagine that the Fury clan/breed which (if I am not mistaken) includes the Gorman's, the Kelly's, the O'Niel's, the Maguire's, the Brian's, and the Wilson's. For all we know that may well be a few hundred or few thousand people who could pool money here and there to invest in Hughie and Tyson and the rest of the bunch.

[lefty]

Am liking the 18th and 19th century comparisons of how the Fury's do business and the 'Regency Era' of boxing. The term "Put up your Dukes" has nothing to do with fists, but with backers. The man who would become King George IV when he was Prince of Wales was a huge backer for prizefighting in those days, as were many others. In fact, Jack Broughton's amphitheatre was built on the funds of barons, viscounts, etc. and when he lost in his comeback (which also cost the backers alot of funds as they bet on him) against Jack Slack the Polish Butcher boxing became illegalised. Evidentially Parliament was well pissed that government funds were spent and lost on a gamble.

However, you all are forgetting one thing, that at least here in America THAT is how you get things done. If I had a few thousand bucks to throw around, I probably would be 10-1-0 (10) as a boxer by now, because you give the promoter X amount of dollars and they get you a garunteed win. It happens all the time in this sport. Tyson Fury paved the way for Hughie Fury, so that Hennessey buys up the opponents for Team Fury. Now, for Tyson, maybe in the beginning his old man John and his uncle Peter dug deep into their own pockets to get him wins, but that would be somewhat the disgrace to say consider how deeply rich Tyson's amateur record was.

But even if it were the case Peter Fury dug into his own pocket for his son's career, its not like they don't have it to spend considering the Tyson fights, the promotional contract with garuntees you money up front as a carrot to dangle in front of you, and the fact that this kid is getting paid regardless because he is becoming the next new star---- let alone the fact that the gypsy culture is alot like the Amish here in America where a clan/breed pools their incomes together and makes decisions on that money. It's a bit like the film KNUCKLE where the Irish travellers among the McDonagh family pooled together their welfare checks in the hopes that McDonagh would win a fight against a rival clan/breed and winner take all. I can imagine that the Fury clan/breed which (if I am not mistaken) includes the Gorman's, the Kelly's, the O'Niel's, the Maguire's, the Brian's, and the Wilson's. For all we know that may well be a few hundred or few thousand people who could pool money here and there to invest in Hughie and Tyson and the rest of the bunch.

You're putting me off boxing letting me know how shady it is... not that I didnt know already but it gets worse!

[ReggieDiggs]

@Reggie, getting a shot at heavyweight is easier now than it ever has been. Providing you're prepared to sign up to the Klitschko's demanding contracts, you can pretty much walk in off the street and get a crack. People don't because they're connections are greedy/want a better deal.

Then its all in theory it sounds like. People CAN, but no one DOES. I disagree anyone in boxing isn't connected right or are all Scrooge McDuck's who f#ck themselves cuz they want too much money (& if thats the case wouldn't Hughie fall into the same trap cuz who doesn't want more money if they can get it?).

Looking at the last several challengers (for Wladimir) I'm not seeing anyone who's been around less then 2 years...in fact lately it looks like you gotta be around 7+ years to get chosen for a title shot.

Wlad's last several challengers' debut to title shot:
2013 Francesco - fought for just under 8 years
2012 Mariursz - fought for for 7 years+
2008 & 2012 Tony (I & II) - fought for over 8 years & 12 years for the 2nd shot
2012 Jean Marc - fought for 17 years
2011 David - fought for 8 years
2010 Samuel - fought 9 years
2010 Fast Eddie - fought 9 years+

Maybe there is a whole bunch of guys who got HW title shots in 4 or less years previous to these guys, but I'm not remembering this going down if its the case & I don't see this all of a sudden starting to change. This 2 year/20 year old goal is silly these days & gonna be extremely hard to achieve just with how things need to work & we aren't even talking about the fast upward trajectory his opposition will need to have to get him to this point to prepare him for winning that title & not just fighting for it that they wanna do to & the risk to his record those sorts of opponents will potentially bring. Just go ask David & Seth about that. I'm sure neither of their roads to a title shot involved getting KTFO.

[lillywhite14]

Let Hughie build up a nice little run, showcase his talents and get people talking etc then sign for the highest bidder

Makes sense

His dad won't buy the lads way to a world title shot obviously

Right now its just getting out there and keeping busy. Can't see many promoters being too happy with him fighting every two weeks either so that would go against his immediate plan.

[TopGun]

Hughie is a good fighter granted, but anyone who compares him to Tyson IMO is way off the mark. Tyson was an animal in the ring in his early days, Hughie isn't putting them away like Iron Mike was.

[crusader]

His standard of opponent so far has been so poor that is there any real point bankrolling these type of fights ? I'd imagine he'd gain more value by sparring some of the top names in the gym.

Unless he get's clobbered, he'll be fighting for a world title by the time he's 20. They're doing it the right way.

I doubt it, unless you mean a world title outside the WBA, WBC, IBF, or WBO.

[Coco]

I like what they are doing, he will learn a lot in the gym with Tyson etc but regular outings gives him the profile he wants also getting the emotional experience of fight night is important and they are putting him in with guys who give him rounds.

[HomicideHenry]

Well according to Peter Fury, he wants Hughie to have 15 fights by the end of the year. I figure by that time he will be in the running for the EBU and British/Commonwealth championship, and be gunning for Richard Towers. I'd like to see him against someone like Tom Dallas in his next few fights, I think he's certainly ready for that, after all he is the chief sparring partner for a top 5 heavyweight in his cousin Tyson Fury and has incredible reflexes for a guy who is 6'8" and 240 pounds himself.

One fight in particular I think would be interesting for Hughie, would actually be that of James Toney. Toney has been calling out Tyson Fury for almost two years now, and he recently lost to Lucas Browne in a bad way. He may never get a chance at Tyson, but he could at Hughie. I think that would be a very interesting test indeed, when Hughie gets to 15-0-0 at the end of the year, if Team Fury decides to ever take that.