EDITOR’S LETTER
Wilder-fury the latest in a series of thrillers that prove the heavyweights are great again
Return of the glory days
THE heavyweight revolution has been gathering pace for some time now. One can trace the beginnings of it to three years ago, when Tyson Fury shocked the world and outscored longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf.
That contest was not an exciting affair, yet it broke the Ukrainian stronghold on the division which, though no fault of the Klitschko brothers, had become one of the least enticing landscapes in the sport. The Klitschkos had been virtually untouchable but the dearth of challengers will likely hurt their standing in history when all is said and done.
Fury’s rapid capitulation, after failed drug tests were made public and depression took hold, stalled the revolution before Anthony Joshua stepped in to clear up much of the mess that was left behind. In April 2017, when Joshua outlasted Klitschko in a battle of the ages, the heavyweight division – at long last – well and truly had the world’s attention again.
Joshua claimed three of the four major belts along the way. His most recent victory, over Alexander Povetkin in September, was his latest exhibition of flawed brilliance. Deontay Wilder, the WBC boss, displayed his thrilling nature when he overcame Luis Ortiz in March this year. That contest, like Joshua-klitschko, was among the best heavyweight fights of the century.
To think Wilder’s next bout would be against Fury – who launched an audacious comeback in the summer – would have been unfathomable back then.
But Fury’s return should be regarded as perhaps the most impressive in history. The depths from which he emerged to get himself not only fit but in supreme fighting shape is nothing short of miraculous. His stunning effort against the thunderous punching Wilder deserved more than the draw handed in by the judges. Furthermore, it surpassed even the thrills and spills offered by Joshua-klitschko and Wilder-ortiz.
Both Wilder and Fury promised us it would be a great fight from the moment the contest was confirmed. Not many believed them, as they squabbled like cartoon characters in front of the cameras. Yet the excitement seemed to snowball during fight week in Los Angeles. Wilder’s genuine agitation in his opponent’s company, and Fury’s unruffled mischief, meant by the time they entered the ring, the anticipation was flying high.
That the action delivered, and then some, confirmed one the greatest eras in heavyweight history is upon us. And it’s fitting that Fury, who triggered the reform, is once again among the leaders as we head into what should be one of the most fascinating heavyweight years for a long, long time.
Naysayers, and there are plenty out there, will scoff at the likes of Fury, Joshua and Wilder being held in such high regard. How dare these names be mentioned alongside legends of the past. But can those critics who doubt what a great place the heavyweight division is right now, remember a more thrilling run of bouts? Think about Joshuaklitschko, Wilder-ortiz, Wilder-fury. Think of Dillian Whyte-joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora-carlos Takam. Also consider the arrival of Oleksandr Usyk and the emergence of prospects like Filip Hrgovich and Joe Joyce. Perhaps none will ever surpass the achievements of someone like Muhammad Ali, but does that really matter? Certainly, the romance of the past does not always have to be a factor in determining how good things are today.
But it should provide lessons. The 1970s era was magical because the best fought the best on multiple occasions, likewise the 1990s. For today’s heavyweights to cement their legacies they must seek out the biggest challenges; each other.
On Saturday night, Fury showed how to seek out a challenge. He showed why testing yourself against the best possible opponents is crucial. And in Wilder and Joshua, Fury has two fighters who will bring out the absolute best in him, and he the best in them.