Fury defeats Wach, eyes potential Anthony Joshua fight at Wembley Stadium
Tyson Fury secured a seventh-round technical knockout victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, moving closer to a potential bout with Anthony Joshua. The fight, which was not televised, served as a warm-up for Fury’s anticipated clash with Joshua.
Fury, a heavyweight star, faced former world-title challenger Wach at the Max Muay Thai Stadium. He controlled the fight for seven rounds before Wach retired on his stool prior to the eighth. Fury demonstrated his boxing skills, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances and employing a range of shots.
Following his win, Fury commented on his performance, stating he used his jab, power shots, and moved around the ring effectively. He also addressed Joshua, suggesting that if Joshua had been in the ring instead of Wach, he would have “jabbed his head off and chinned him.”
Path to a Mega Fight
Fury’s victory over Wach follows his points win against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. This marked Fury’s fifth return from retirement, nearly 18 months after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk. The British boxer, who is 38 years old, showcased his hand speed and ability to land jabs in the early rounds against Wach, who is 46.
Wach began to show signs of fatigue as Fury continued to land hard jabs. In the fifth round, Wach took a barrage of uppercuts, and his corner was observed to be considering stopping the fight. After receiving more heavy blows in the seventh round, Wach’s legs appeared unsteady as he returned to his corner, leading to the fight’s conclusion.
The win means Fury is on course to face Joshua in an all-British meeting later this year. This potential fight hinges on Joshua defeating Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. If Joshua wins, the highly anticipated fight with Fury could take place at Wembley Stadium in November.
However, there are discussions regarding the timing of the fight. According to Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh, the bout might be scheduled for 2am to attract a larger American audience. This follows earlier talks that the fight could have been held in the US.
Fury’s Post-Fight Remarks and Future Plans
After his dominant performance, Fury expressed doubts about Joshua’s ability to overcome Prenga. He questioned Joshua’s courage, referencing an incident at Tottenham where, in front of 70,000 people, Joshua reportedly did not get into the ring to face him. Fury stated he was “not convinced” Joshua would ultimately face him.
Fury also defended his decision to fight Wach, explaining that he sought to gain more rounds and become accustomed to the demands of fight week, including press conferences and weigh-ins. He noted that he had only had one fight in two years prior to this bout, and desired to be active and match fit for his next opponent.
When asked about attending Joshua’s fight in Jeddah, Fury declined, stating he would be returning home to his wife and children. He mentioned being away for six or seven months, including a 10-week training camp, and prior to that, four months away. He indicated his priority was to rest at home.
Promoter Frank Warren, who previously guided Fury’s career, congratulated him on his victory in Thailand. Following his win over Wach, Tyson Fury remains the favourite to defeat Anthony Joshua, should their fight materialize. The current odds for a potential matchup are Fury at 8/13, a draw at 16/1, and Joshua at 7/5.
Fury also mentioned several potential locations for a fight with Joshua, including Las Vegas, New York, Ireland, London, and even Thailand.
The British boxer’s post-fight celebration included a brief dance, shadowboxing, and a crisp left hook, before he lifted his arms in triumph. He then approached Wach, offering a glove and a peck on the cheek, and also bumped fists with Wach’s team.
The next step for the potential mega-fight involves Anthony Joshua’s performance against Kristian Prenga on Saturday.
Source: independent.co.uk
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
