Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC and lineal heavyweight champion of the world, finds himself in the eye of a storm of criticism lately. The British boxing sensation was recently negotiating for high-profile bouts against WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk, and former champion Anthony Joshua. Unfortunately, both encounters failed to materialize, leading to questions about Fury’s choice of opponents and commitment to facing top competition.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the President of the World Boxing Council (WBC), comes to the defense of the charismatic heavyweight champion. Sulaiman’s support for Fury extends beyond the ring, as he addresses the accusations surrounding the fighter’s recent fight negotiations.
Sulaiman clarified, “He is not fighting Oleksandr Usyk because he was not ready last December. Then they couldn’t do it in March and went their separate ways.” He added that the same circumstances applied to the potential matchup with Anthony Joshua. Sulaiman’s message is clear: don’t pin the blame on Tyson Fury. He believes Fury has been eager and prepared for these significant fights.
Sulaiman praised these crossover events by expressing his enthusiasm for Fury’s upcoming exhibition bout with former UFC superstar Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that they bring an extra layer of respect to the sport. Comparing it to the historic Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather showdown, he anticipates that Fury vs. Ngannou will be a colossal spectacle.
However, some critics have questioned why Fury faces a relative newcomer to boxing like Ngannou instead of a mandatory contender. Sulaiman offered a compelling response, arguing that forcing a mandatory fight solely for the sake of it would not serve the best interests of boxing. He asserted, “If you force the mandatory just for the sake of it, you are doing a disservice to the sport. We will not be rushing up a mandatory contender.”
Moreover, Sulaiman pointed out that there isn’t even a mandatory contender for Fury to face. He explained, “We had ordered Wilder vs. Ruiz, and the winner would have been a sensational mandatory contender, but that fight did not occur.” With neither Wilder nor Ruiz participating in that contest, the WBC President emphasized, “There is no mandatory contender. Fury is the best heavyweight, without a doubt.”
Sulaiman reiterated that Tyson Fury is not shying away from significant challenges. On the contrary, Fury has been actively seeking out big fights, but the circumstances surrounding these potential matchups have prevented them from materializing.
In conclusion, Mauricio Sulaiman stood firmly in Tyson Fury’s corner, defending the champion against accusations of dodging top competition. While the highly anticipated fights against Usyk and Joshua may not have come to fruition, Sulaiman stressed that Fury’s willingness to take on formidable opponents remains unwavering. Boxing enthusiasts can look forward to Fury’s intriguing clash with Francis Ngannou on October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as they anticipate yet another thrilling chapter in the heavyweight champion’s storied career.
