TYSON FURY is the best heavyweight fighter in the world – but it could have been very different.
Following a controversial draw in 2018, The Gypsy King completed a sensational comeback in the sport when he battered Deontay Wilder in their rematch to win the WBC world title in 2020.
Tyson Fury had a tough night against John McDermott back in 2009 – but somehow managed to get a wide points win
It handed the American his first professional defeat, and also maintained Fury’s own unbeaten record, before the Brit went on to stop Wilder in the 11th round of their thrilling trilogy bout in 2021.
The slugger has since gone to beat Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora.
But back in 2009, Fury managed to keep that O in his losses column when he came up against slugger John McDermott.
Fury was heralded as one of British boxing’s best talents having blitzed seven opponents in quick time.
His team decided to step things up against John ‘Big Bad’ McDermott, with the English title on the line.
McDermott went into the bout off the back of two losses against Danny Williams, but his 30-fight record included many KOs that would test out the new golden boy’s chin.
And while no stoppage came for either boxer, McDermott had seemingly put the skids on Fury’s blossoming career with a messy points win.
Fury was the 1/6 favourite against McDermott – but the fight didnt play out like that
Going into the later rounds Team McDermott were in confident mood
It was far from a spectacular performance. But McDermott snaffled and bullied the younger man, with Fury, the 1/6 favourite on the night, left relying on distance flurries.
Going into the final round, Fury’s corner were heard telling their man that he was behind on points and needed a grandstand finish – that never came.
Referee Terry O’Connor saw things differently and somehow scored it 98-92 to Fury.
It led to McDermott’s promoter at the time, Frank Maloney, now Kellie Maloney, slamming O’Connor as a “disgrace to boxing”.
Guardian writer Kevin Mitchell pulled no punches in his assessment of the result, saying at the time that he “cannot remember a worse decision in the sport”.
He wrote that Fury “got away with a robbery of the highway variety” and that the boxing community “were left outraged by the decision”.
It was Fury and his team who were left celebrating at the end of the 10-rounder
Fury said after the controversial points win that he would have retired if he had lost
Basildon boxer McDermott could barely believe the referee’s decision
Boxing legend Jim Watt was commentating for Sky Sports, and his scorecard gave it to McDermott by two rounds, 96-94, with Fury only coming close after winning the final two.
McDermott was crestfallen as he gave his post-fight interview ringside.
He said: “What have I got to do to win it? I’m a nice gentle guy, he’s the one with the big mouth and I’ve been penalised for it.”
Fury, 21 at the time, said that he thought he had won it, and admitted that he “would have retired” if he had lost the fight.
The rematch was inevitable, and as luck would have it Fury came in a year later a different beast and knocked McDermott down three times on the way to a ninth-round stoppage.
But the controversy of that first clash still lingers, with McDermott even claiming Tyson’s dad John admitted to him that his son had “lost the fight”.
McDermott and his then-promoter Frank, now Kellie, Maloney could not believe the decision
Basildon boxer McDermott believed his ‘face did not fit’ and thats why Fury got the points win
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Basildon ex-boxer, who now works on the railways fixing overhead cables, admits the result still “annoys” him.
He said: “I’m not saying I would have gone on to fight for the world title but it would have helped me, at the time.
“A bit more money when there wasn’t much money in boxing. He’s a millionaire now and I’m struggling.
“They thought I’d be an easy fight. They didn’t think I could dig deep.
“I remember walking up to the punch bag and my trainer drew a line at 6’9” and said: ‘This is how tall Tyson Fury is’. I remember thinking: ‘How am I going to hit the bloke?’
“I thought the judges were scoring it. But people were booing and I saw the referee holding Fury’s hand up. It’s just madness, I don’t know what happened. How can he score it 8-2?”
After the rematch McDermott, now 43 , only had four more fights before retiring on a victory against Matt Skelton in 2013.
Fury, 34, meanwhile has completed a real fairytale and become undisputed heavyweight king.
But things could have panned out very differently had the contentious result of 2009 been reversed.
Fury is on top of the heavyweight boxing world while John McDermott is fixing up the railways
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do boxers train in a single day?
Boxing trainers train for at most 4 hours per day. They also study boxing techniques and learn new moves. Boxers may spar up to ten times per week.
How to protect yourself
Always defend your head when you’re being attacked. It is your goal to not get punched. You need to be able to block an incoming punch in order to avoid getting punched. Here’s what to do:
- Elevate your shoulders high and straighten your shoulders.
- Keep your elbows straight up.
- Block the incoming punch with your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Continue blocking until you see the attacker run away.
- Do not let up on your defense.
How long does learning boxing take?
Boxing can be learned in 3 months. This includes learning the basics like footwork, balance, and stance. It’s important to remember that boxing is not only about throwing punches. You also need to learn how to block and dodge attacks.
What are the 7 punches used in boxing?
The seven punches in boxing are jab, cross, hook, uppercut, straight right, left hook, and body shot. These punches are used for attacking the opponent’s body, head, and legs.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
External Links
boxandflow.com
expertboxing.com
How To
How do I set up a boxing gym at my house?
People who are looking to start their own business often ask how to set up a boxing club. Many people wonder how much money to spend on equipment, what space is necessary, how many staff they require, etc. The cost of starting a business can be affected by many factors. These factors include the location, type, number of employees and marketing budget. One thing most people overlook is the importance and value of good equipment. If you don’t have any equipment then you cannot get started. So if you really want to start a boxing gym in your home, here are some tips to help you out.
- You need a place where you can train. Anyplace you can train is fine, whether it’s in your garage, basement, spare or living area. Only thing is that the equipment must have enough space.
- A punching bag (or more) is essential. This is vital because you won’t have the ability to practice punches without it. It can be anything from a cheap plastic bag to a heavy leather bag. Make sure that it is big enough to fit you comfortably. You will also want it to last for many years.
- You need a mat. Matting is used for protecting floors and walls during kick practice. It is usually made out of foam rubber. You can buy them online and offline.
- A bench is a must. A bench is used for support while performing pushups. These can be bought online or in stores. But make sure to choose the right size.
- Speedbags are essential. Speedbags are useful for developing quick hand movements. You can buy them from either online or offline shops. It is important to ensure that you purchase a product of high quality and lasting value.
- Headgear is necessary. It protects your head when sparring. It can either be purchased online or in a physical store. It is important to choose the right size and protection for your face.
- Gloves are necessary. Gloves are used to protect your hands during sparring sessions. These gloves can be bought online or in stores. Pick the pair that suits you best.
- You need a mouthpiece. Mouthpieces are used to protect your teeth during sparring sessions. These can be purchased online or in-store. Choose the right pair for you.
- You will need a ring. Rings can be used to simulate real fights. These rings can either be purchased in an offline store or online. Make sure that it has padding on both sides so that you aren’t injured during sparring sessions.
- You need a towel. You need a towel to remove sweat after a workout. You can find them at your local sporting goods shop or online. Be sure they are soft, absorbent, and comfortable.
