How was Dubai? Did you have a good time?
It was a brilliant place. We got looked after extremely well. All the people over there were great. The weather was great, the food was great, they gave us a lovely place to stay, Rolls Royce cars to drive around in, we really got looked after. I met the Prince of Dubai as well which was a great privilege.
That was the highlight for me. People like me don’t get chances to meet royalty very often.
Everything went smooth, I met the great Floyd Mayweather, a lovely fella too. Roy Jones Junior, another legend. Some big names out there who I’ve wanted to meet for a while and I got the chance, so a huge thanks go out to Global Titans for hosting us.
What did you make of Tommy’s fight?
It was an exhibition, so they weren’t out to kill each other. It was a late notice thing that happened last minute as his opponent pulled out, I don’t know the reasons why, but Global Titans tried everything to convince him to box, but it was a mix up of contracts. One contract said one weight, ours said another. We did everything we needed to do and made the weight on our contract but unfortunately Paul Bamba didn’t want to box, and we had to get a late replacement to save the show.
But it was a great exhibition, a move around for Tommy, once again out under the lights, in the big events with a big crowd. That’s what we were concentrating on - getting him out under the lights.
Will Tommy fight again this year?
We wanted him on Tyson’s undercard but that wasn’t possible as the card was full and they’d already been put in place months prior. It’s going to be the New Year before Tommy’s out again and we’re looking for big fights for him, but that’s easier said than done.
Not a lot of people want to pay Tommy what he’s worth. It’s hard to get the right kind of fights for him because of where he’s at in his career and the high level of status he has in being a Fury.
Boxing is a funny old game, full of hurdles, but we’re good jumpers we Fury’s.
Saw Tommy calling Jake out for not sending back the contracts - how’s that looking?
Jake Paul, that kid just doesn’t want to fight. Whatever money gets offered to Jake Paul; he doesn’t want Tommy Fury. He wants to use the Tyson Fury name and the Fury brand, but he doesn’t want to get into the ring with one. He wouldn’t even get into the ring with me, an old age pensioner!
I see this Tommy and Jake thing being like Tyson and AJ. Never going to happen. There’s been a lot of talk, a lot of hype and it’s never happened. I think this is heading in the same way. I’m sick of it now, I’m not going to chase it anymore, If they’re not prepared to pay Tommy what he’s worth.
They want it all. They want the lions share and more of the lions share than they think. We’re not going to box for less than Tommy’s worth, so I can’t see the fight happening. It’s going to be one of them: the fight that never happens.
Like AJ and Tyson, it’s unfortunate, but we want what we’re worth. We’re not making up numbers, the Fury’s are the biggest name in boxing. Jake Paul thinks that he’s A side, but I’m telling you he’s not. The Fury’s are the A side because when you get into the ring boxing, whatever type of combat sport it is with gloves on, that’s our field of expertise. That’s what we do and that’s what Tommy does.
Jake Paul’s made his living through YouTube filming mad events. We’re fighters. If the fight isn’t on at least a level playing field with us, the fight will never happen, it’s that simple. I’m sick of hearing Jake Paul’s name, if I never heard it again that would suit me.
I said to Tommy, ‘no more Tweets, let them get on with the job, if they can’t make it let’s move on’. There are bigger names in the boxing world anyway and I can talk to most of them so we can move down other roads. I’m sick of Jake Paul, I really don’t think this will take place now. How can you make a fight happen if you won’t pay Tommy what he’s worth? Two people have got to want it badly and Jake doesn’t fancy it.
Tommy wants it badly so he can beat Jake up. But I say, ‘this is a business, leave that side to me, you can beat him up Tommy when you’re in the ring together’.
Is Roman going to fight again this year?
Next year for him now. Christmas around the corner and I think the boxing for the Fury’s is done after Tyson. I’m glad too, I need a rest!
Tyson’s fighting soon - you looking forward to that?
It’s a run out for Tyson. It’s a good event. Whichever event Tyson’s at, he creates electricity. And that electricity I thrive on it. I can’t wait! Derek’s going to bring it. Boxing is a funny game, an old war horse and in the heavyweight division anything can happen. There are no foregone conclusions. Tyson’s had to train hard for him and Derek’s trained hard for Tyson.
They’ve got bad blood, old blood, scores to be settled and I think Derek thinks he can pull one back. He thinks it can make it 2-1. Third time lucky, I can’t see it myself but he’s as good as anyone else out there.
After Chisora, anyone else you’re looking at for Tyson?
I’d like to see him get the Ukrainian rabbit. If the rabbit does what’s right, then the rabbit can have it. If Deontay Wilder want’s it, he can have it too.
But let me tell you this - if Deontay Wilder gets in the ring with Tyson Fury again that’ll be the end of Deontay Wilder’s career. We know what spot to hit on, his weak spot. Tyson will hit him in that weak spot harder than he’s ever been hit.
We’re not bothered about Wilder’s power, what we can do and what we can’t do. Tyson can beat Deontay Wilder 7 days a week and four times on a Sunday, he’ll take them all on. All of them, no matter who they are, if they step up to the plate and it makes business sense Tyson will fight them. He can beat them all at a canter.
Tyson is an elite fighter while the rest are all good. There is a world apart between an elite fighter and a good fighter. Tyson will prove that when he meets them all and they’re going to get it.
Tyson will put the Ukrainian rabbit back into the warren with the rest of the rabbits.
Do you know where it will be held? Are we looking at a fight overseas?
We don’t care where it’s held - we’ll fight him on Mars, if it makes good business sense, let’s get it on and move onto these other mugs. They’re not mugs as people; I’m saying mugs in boxing and their ability.
It’s like water and Lager - different.
How did you rate Tommy’s fight?
We were training 8 weeks for a southpaw. We had southpaw sparring and it was just a change of styles completely, because it was a late replacement. 3 hours before kick-off we had to replace the opponent. We got the job done; we sourced a good opponent, but he was the only man available at the time.
It was a run out for Tommy, he had a chance to showcase his skills, they weren’t out to kill each other, it was an exhibition, but you can clearly see Tommy is a talent. We want him on these big stages and the big events.
We’re sorry it didn’t take place. There was a mix up in the contracts, one contract said one weight, our contract had another weight. We made the weight on our contract. Global Titans put a statement out saying this and what can you say? Tommy got the job done, had a run out and onto the next one.
It wasn’t ideal, but you can’t help things like this. Paul Bamba did nothing wrong, he was acting on what he’d be told, having to make 12 stone 7. It’s just a mix up in communication but the day still went ahead, and it couldn’t have ended much better.
Credit to Tommy for the fight - does this show what he’s capable of, in there with very good boxers?
I said to Tommy, this kid you’re fighting now is 15 stone, you sure you want to do it? He said, ‘I don’t care, I’ve got to box. I’ve spent 8 weeks in a camp, and I don’t want to waste it.’
Exhibitions can sometimes get out of hand and end up as hard hitting as a professional fight, but I was telling Tommy, ‘Don’t go mad, have a run out and showcase your skills. You’re not here to prove a point’.
I felt in my own mind that Tommy did a great job against a fighter who’s got a record of 15-1 with 12 KO’s and a belt. Tommy proved that night that he belongs in the ring with that kind of class.
What happened with Jake for you to confront him?
He’s had a lot to say, and men meet before mountains. He had his chance to showcase what he was about, and he let himself down miserably. He showed he didn’t want to fight Tommy. He wouldn’t even get in the ring. He was terrified, he kept walking backwards, coming out with all sorts of rubbish. The kid doesn’t want to fight Tommy, it’s going to be another Tyson AJ with him.
One man wants to fight but another doesn’t. In that case what can you do? It’s not about the money with Jake Paul, the man just doesn’t want to lose to Tommy and Tommy will knock him out.
What you saw in the exhibition, Tommy had to put the brakes on all night. I was telling him not to go mad, the opponent has done us a favour in stepping at very short notice and it’s an exhibition.
It wasn’t our fault - we went over there to do a demolition job on Paul Bamba which would have happened. Only those in camp with us know how powerful Tommy is and how devastating he hits. He hits very hard, and Jake Paul is terrified.
Jake thinks he’s the A-side and he’s not - the Fury’s are. Jake has made his money from YouTube; our boys are chiselled fighters who’ve made their living through the sport of boxing. Whatever it is with gloves on, that puts us in the lead as that’s what we do. We are pugilists.
You could offer Jake Paul a billion dollars and he wouldn’t fight Tommy. He’s only interested in being associated with our name. Jake Paul is the A-side to jack shit. I’ve seen what he was like up close and personal. I had a spare roll of toilet paper on me for him. I said, ‘I better pop this in, in case Jake Paul needs it’. So, I had it in my bag and I was tempted to throw it at him to be honest with you, but I took pity on him. I don’t want to talk about him anymore, he’s a bum in my eyes and from another world.
When he meets a real fighter like Tommy Fury, he’s getting knocked the f*** out!
Busy times for you, how do you see the Tyson fight playing out?
Anything can happen in heavy weight boxing. People think it’s a foregone conclusion and a walk in the park. No heavyweight boxing match is a walk in the park. It’s two 18 stone men throwing leather at one another. Tyson only has to be off key or have a bad night and he could have a problem. That’s what Derek Chisora brings.
Tyson’s trained hard for Derek, he’s not took it lightly. He’s spent plenty of time in the gym working on different stuff. Derek is a great character and is as good as what’s out there. He’s as good as AJ. For my money he’s as good as Usyk so he’s as good as anyone else.
I’d say Derek’s better in fact as he’s had the minerals to step up to the plate and fight. Derek still has plenty of miles on the clock and if you’re not on form, you’ll lose to him. He’s a good man, he’s proved it and never shown himself up once. I’m looking to forward to it, will be a great night and better than what people think.
He’ll put up a better fight than Dillian Whyte, that’s for sure.
Thoughts on Tyson’s upcoming fight against Usyk?
I’d just say that Tyson would have to be very off form to lose to the Ukrainian rabbit. Good big un’s don’t lose to good little ones and that’s never been proven wrong ever. Only a fluke that happens every 50 years or so.
On the law of averages an excellent big man beats an excellent little man every day of the week. The big man is going to prevail.
What are your thoughts on Deontay Wilder’s fight record?
I want to see Deontay Wilder beat somebody of note. I really do. Andy Ruiz Jr is not performing, and they know this. Why doesn’t Deontay fight Joe Joyce? Joe Joyce is up there in the top three in my eyes.
If Joyce can take Wilder’s power, Joyce wins. I’m a firm believer that Joyce can take his power. Robert Helenius, I don’t know what that was. Either Tyson has a skull of granite, or his chin is weak as water. Was I impressed with that knockout? No, it looked like he fell over.
Some people try hard and get back up off the canvas trying to win, and others want to lay there. It’s a toss-up between the two on Robert. Tyson took what Deontay Wilder had: Dynamite on his chin, got up bullied him and won.
Helenius takes the floor and stays there. He probably thought I’m still getting my money; I’ll make it look good and stay where I’m at.
I’m not bothered about Wilder at all. You beat a man three times, you’ll beat him ten times. I’m waiting for a new crop of fighters where I think Tyson could have a problem here. All the heavyweights now, Tyson beats them all.
Joe Joyce is good challenge, if you’re a good taker and you’re a decent giver, you’ll give anyone a hard night, won’t you? Joe Joyce might not be the best boxer in the world, but he’s relentless, he keeps coming forward, he soaks it up and he comes on strong in championship rounds. So, you have to give the man credit. If you don’t have the ability like Wilder, big Joe Joyce will give you an 18-wheel steam roller. So, fight Joe Joyce Wilder, not little Andy Ruiz Jr who isn’t performing.
When he fights him the fourth time, we’ll make it the last one and end Wilder’s career. That weak skull of his will get hit that hard, he’ll be lucky to regain consciousness. Wilder’s said he wants a body on his record, he wants to kill people in the ring, he’s got to watch what he says because Karma is coming his way.
If I was Deontay Wilder, I definitely wouldn’t bother with the Gypsy King no more. He ought to be a father to his children and a man to his woman. Keep away from the Gypsy King.
What do you make of criticism about the fight with Derek?
Derek Chisora we’ve had to take him as there’s no one else! Usyk didn’t want it, Wilder didn’t want it, Joe Joyce had just boxed, who else was there? The rest ain’t even worth talking about. Del Boy or no one. AJ didn’t want it. He absolutely soiled his pants, didn’t he? Soiled his trousers at the prospect of getting in the ring and losing to the Gypsy King.
When they box a Fury, it becomes personal to them, they fear losing to the Gypsy King. The best they can do is sit at home in their armchairs dreaming about beating him. That’s the closest they’ll ever come.
How’s camp been with Tyson?
Brilliant. It’s gone through nice and smoothly, he’s put the work in and no injuries. He’s had a great camp, looking forward to it. In the last week of training now so fight week next week to get it done.
What do you make of AJ, given this fight could have been with him?
You can get Roy Jones Jr, you can get Mayweather, all the ones they think are brilliant and I’ve watched them all, if you’re man hasn’t got it you can have the best trainer in the world and you won’t achieve anything with him.
You’ve got to have the right credentials to be a champion and he hasn’t got them. He’s lucky to have got to where he is in life. If he hadn’t have been so well made, a promoters dream, he wouldn’t have got those titles would he?
Let’s be honest they had to relieve Tyson illegally of his belts so he could win them. That in my mind still rings true. They had to steal the belts off Tyson so he could fight for it as he was the golden boy.
Golden boys get their own way but look how things have turned. He’s been proved to be what he was all along: a fake. In this game of boxing if you’re a phony you’ll get found out and he’s been found out.
Will his career ever be the same? I doubt it. We offered AJ everything, across the board. Level playing field and he refused everything. It’s never going to happen, and we’ve moved on. There are better men more worthy anyway waiting to challenge for a title who deserve it too.
Let him dream of getting some gifted championship. When Tyson goes undisputed and knocks out the Ukrainian rabbit, if AJ wants a belt, he’s going to have to come past the Gypsy King and that’s not going to happen.
He’ll say he’s had a good career and hang up his gloves. Good luck to him.
How do you think Tyson will approach the fight with Derek Chisora?
It’s not going to be the Tyson of 2014 with the jab and move. Tyson will be more in his face. He gets trained these days to trade off. It might work in Derek Chisora’s favour. With Derek you have to be on your toes, jab and move and get the combo’s going off. If Tyson has it in his head he wants a trade-off, you’ve got a fight on your hands, and I think Tyson wants a trade-off.
He’s not going to box Derek. It’s going to be a shootout and then it becomes who lands first. Maybe Tyson doesn’t want to dance around the ring all night. Maybe he doesn’t want to jab and move. Maybe he wants to excite his fans with KO’s. Tyson now is knocking out everybody and he wants to keep that ration going.
So, he’s going to stand plant his feet and go for a trade-off. It wouldn’t be what I’d do, I’d go back to the same style as 2014 but that doesn’t, please and that doesn’t sell.
Tyson is in the entertainment business and that’s what he’ll do. Entertain the fans with a trade-off. It’s going to be a war.
Tyson has self-belief and confidence that he can knock anyone out in the world, and he’s proven it. He’s knocked out Wilder, knocked out Dillian Whyte, and he’ll try knock out Derek Chisora too. I’m looking forward to it.
How do you think Tyson’s feeling about coming back from retirement for this fight?
Tyson is like Frankenstein. He needs that electricity to give him life he hasn’t got out the ring. He loves it. Every time goes to the big arenas it’s electric and Tyson thrives off it.
Like Frankenstein, he gets off the table and the electricity puts life into a dead body. Without boxing, he hasn’t got a life. What does he do without boxing? Walk the dog, take the kids to school, have a coffee, read the paper, go to bed. If that’s not mundane then what is? I live a better life and I’m 57 years old.
Without boxing they have nothing, they’re athletes and that’s what they do. I’m worried for when he does eventually retire. That’s when the problems could start, for me anyway. As long as he keeps boxing, keeps healthy, keeps fit, has a desire to train hard, keep boxing I’d say.
Finally, what’s your prediction for the fight?
I think Tyson’s going to come out, straight to the middle of the ring and have a tear up. A shootout. I don’t think the fight will last any more than 3 or 4 rounds. He’s going to run to the middle of the ring, hold his ground and let the bombs go. Derek will be there wanting to join him.
It’ll be a great fight while it lasts. Derek will be flying away, trying. Let me tell you there’ll be some bombs thrown early on. Tyson don’t want to box anymore; he doesn’t want to move anymore. He’s got it in his head he can knock them all out and he should at 19 and a half stone and 6ft 9. Why not have that self-belief? There’s no such thing as a man who weighs 19 and a half stone who can’t punch.
When he holds his feet and lets them shots go, look what happens. Dillian Whyte can justify that can’t he? Asleep before he hit the floor and then woke up talking a load of crap. His heads still gone 6 months after, he’s still not recovered, that’s why he’s talking so stupid! Still semi-knocked out 6 months later!
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