Because those fans are smart.
Tyson Fury is big, and we are seeing some bigger fighters.
Chris Byrd, as talented as he was, ran into that problem, literally, with guys the size of Lennox Lewis.
But the astute fans you mention know that a boxer must do more than win fights.
He must win them in a certain way....one that involves sportsmanship and crowd appeal.
When Foreman fell before Ali, the latter held back on his opportunity to hit the bigger man as he fell. The public notices such things.
They also notice when someone holds, leans, head-butts and finally pins the opponents head against the ropes and delivers an illegal knock-out.
Tyson's style is unpopular not because he is unorthodox, but because it is ugly. He could do much better if he were to clean up his act, both verbally and also, in the ring. He comes across as very crass, which will not win him the larger public, and while he can win fights by bullying people like Cunningham, unsporting and illegal tactics will not work well against elite boxers.
Tyson Fury has the potential to become a good boxer if he works on his jab, which is not bad, and power at range. Instead, he relies on some jabs alternating with holding and rough tactics in close range, which is a strange method for someone with his reach and height.
The future of the heavyweight division is the same as it has ever been...the public want entertainment and boxing skill....and the entertainment part means someone they can bring themselves to cheer for.
Tyson Fury can rely on dirty tactics (i.e. holding and hitting Cunningham) against a certain level of boxer, but at the elite level, he will find such tactics will not work, and they will never win him many friends.
As for size, Mike Tyson would have, in his prime, knocked out Tyson Fury within 3 rounds.
Lennox Lewis was not a champion because of his size, although it did help.....he was a champion because of his skill and heart.
Put Fury in the ring against a tiny Harry Greb, or Marciano, and these little fellows would mop the floor with him, because they had both heart and skill.
Size only becomes an issue with two boxers of near skill levels, or if the bigger man is more skilled. If the bigger man is less skilled, his size can work against him, as he burns more calories, is often slower, and may tire more quickly.
That was George Foreman's only weakness....a skilled fighter could take him into the later rounds, and he would tire. Ali demonstrated that.
The future will bring bigger, taller boxers, you are right.
Let's hope they also bring skills, sportsmanship, and some crowd appeal.
Not really.
Tyson Fury has a glass chin, he has no co-ordination, no balance. He's big but he doesn't use his size like the Klitschko brothers do.
Mike Tyson would KO Tyson Fury in 6 rounds.
Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman, and Foreman beat Super-Heavyweights in the 1990's. The avg H.W is 6''2, really, the top big Heavies use their size.
Guys like David Price, don't use their size.
Evander Holyfield, 6''2 was robbed against 7''2 Valuev. David Haye, 6''3 beat 7''2 Valuev. 6''2 Corrie Sanders KO'd 6''5 Wlad Klitschko, 5''10 Mike Tyson KO'd 6.5 1/2'' Tyrell Briggs, etc.
Fury is getting to the stage where he's making money. He dodged being knocked out by Haye so will have to get another similar level pay check. I see his career lasting 4 more fights max.
edit. I just read your post and you say Fury could beat prime Tyson.....Dang
wow. Your really did just say that you think Tyson Fury would beat a peak Mike Tyson didn't you? .........
Tyson Fury is an uncoordinated oaf who's blessed to have people around who think as highly of him as you do because that's all that keeps him relevant. I think he's a bum.
Fury has no chin. The Heavyweight division is the weakest division right now.
Cause a blown up Cruiserweight named Steve Cunningham dropped him. What would a top Heavyweight do to him?
I genuinely believe that fighters like Tyson fury are the future. Men are taller today, and in boxing there are a lot more taller opponents than previously. I think styles and fighters like Tyson Fury, are unpopular and ugly because they are not orthodox, but they will beat styles like Mike tyson. I genuinely believe that an experienced tyson fury will beat an prime mike tyson. I've seen it happen in the amateurs, short, quick explosive heavyweights against much taller, awkward unorthodox styles and just not being able to do the job. That's why there are so many taller boxers today. Let's not forget how much weight a prime mike tyson gives away to a prime tyson fury, so you need to take that into account. These guys tower over them, have freak like long arms and even leaning back can take them well out of harm's way. Styles like Tyson's were not made for these new age tall fighters, we must remember that.
I would call Mike a heavyweight, but there is a new weight class of boxers in super heavyweights. And they don't have good looking sharp, traditional styles.
I know this will be unpopular and I hope somebody doesn't bring up sammy scaffe because they will be missing the point altogether if they do!
