IDRIS VIRGO has accused Tommy Fury of succeeding in boxing only because of his world champion brother and Love Island stint.
Fury turned pro in 2018 with much fanfare due to the career of his big brother Tyson, now the unbeaten WBC heavyweight king.
And his popularity was only heightened the following summer as he came runner up in the hit reality TV series Love Island with his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague.
As a result, 21-year-old Fury is in-demand and made a successful return to the ring last month winning by second round stoppage.
But his promised dedication to the sport has not convinced fellow Love Island alumni Virgo – who spent time in the villa a year beforehand.
Virgo, 27, told SunSport: “It’s all for the press and all for the camera. I don’t believe Tommy Fury actually wants to box. He does not wanna box.
“I believe Tommy Fury will get found out. And if he can get found out by me, I’ll be there saying ‘I’ll told you so’.
“I don’t think he really wants to do it to be honest, I don’t think his heart is really in it.
“He’s got all it needs to be a decent boxer but he hasn’t got the dedication, no way. I’ve never met the guy but even if I did I’d say it to his face.
“He’s not even worth watching, that’s my personal opinion.
“If Love Island wasn’t there and he didn’t have his brother, he wouldn’t be where he is now.
“I think because of the Fury name he is trying to follow his brother. I don’t think he’ll go far, that’s my personal opinion.”
Virgo, from Birmingham, came into Love Island having won his first two pro bouts, but boxed as an amateur and on the White Collar scene.
Since making his name on the ITV series, he also enjoyed screen time on MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ filmed in America.
It caught the eye of promoter Mick Hennessy, who signed Virgo this summer.
In August, the super-middleweight went viral and was hailed for a perfectly timed body shot knockout against Josh Hodgins.
But just a month later, Virgo was public enemy No1 after he threw water in the face of his journeyman opponent Scott Williams.
Acknowledge this is just the start
pic.twitter.com/u7GNiUjhMn
— Idris virgo (@Idrisvirgo) August 25, 2020
The admirable Scott Williams, refusing to take the bait. Remaining incredibly calm, he's saving it all for the ring tonight.
See how he responds (in the ring) to @idrisvirgo's taunts, tonight at 7pm on the below YouTube link (live undercard):
https://t.co/KX3FC5ShEh pic.twitter.com/RpdGTik1hs
— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) September 5, 2020
The contrasting headlines proved a lesson in how quickly credit can be lost and perception drastically changed.
But Virgo refuses to apologise for the lack of respect he showed pre-fight, insisting he is in the business of entertainment and brutality.
He explained: “It’s just how I am. You’ll hate me but at the end of the day you’ll watch me.
“I hate every fighter who steps in the ring with me. There’s no love – I’ve been in Love Island but in the ring there is no love.
“Doesn’t matter whoever you are, I don’t want to be shaking your hand, I don’t want to be joking with you, you’re the enemy going into that fight.
“And, if you’re sound, I might give you a pat on the back and praise you – other than that I hate you.
“It’s just the mindset I have, before it was different but now it’s totally different. I’ve trained my mind to be a killer.
“I’m an entertainer, it’s just who I am, I’m not putting it on for anyone.”
Virgo returns to the ring on Friday for his eighth fight, on the same night British veteran Ashley Theophane marks his UK homecoming against Sam Eggington.
The social media personality has already got his next fight lined up one week later.
And he admits he has no shortage of potential rivals, all looking to steal the clout from his name.
Virgo said: “Next year is going to be a bigger year but what people don’t realise is every fight I’ve been in has been decent due to my name.
“My name alone brings enough weight for people to train hard enough to try and beat me but when you’re in the ring with me, from the first round they feel my power and start backing off and retreating.
“Due to my name they come to dethrone me, but it’s not going to work.”
