Tommy Fury says he isn’t worried about stepping into the ring with former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall — even if he is expected to be outweighed by a staggering 59kg.
The unbeaten boxer and former Love Island star will face Hall in the headline bout of Misfits Boxing’s “Beauty vs The Beast” event in Manchester this weekend, with the former strongman tipped to enjoy a weight advantage of up to 130 pounds (59kg).
Fury v Hall | Sunday June 14 from 4am AEST | Tommy ‘TNT’ Fury makes his return to Misfits Boxing, taking on former strongman champion Eddie Hall in Manchester. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Despite the massive mismatch, Fury says years of growing up around big heavyweights — including his famous brother Tyson — means Hall’s intimidating size doesn’t bother him in the slightest.
“I’m not really worried about his size to be honest,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“Because I’ve been sparring really big guys for the past three months. All guys can hit hard at the end of the day, every heavyweight in the world can hit hard.
“I’m used to being around heavyweights and feeling their power….
“It’s kind of on me to outclass him with speed and movement. It’s kind of a straightforward task. There’s only one real thing to look out for, and that’s it.”
Hall, who won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017, is expected to enter the fight at around 150kg (330lb), having slimmed down significantly from the 443lb frame he had during his strongman days.
Fury, meanwhile, previously campaigned at light heavyweight and cruiserweight and will be making his heavyweight debut.
The former strongman has repeatedly pointed to his huge punching power as the key to victory, insisting all he needs is one clean shot to end the fight.
Fury, however, says that’s always the case.
“I’m not scared by that,” he said.
“You know what you signed up for.
“Even in my normal weight division it only takes one (shot to finish a fight).
“I guess everybody could have said that with the Jake Paul fight…. It’s all good to have that power, but you’ve got to land it.”
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
The fight has its roots in a falling out between Hall and Fury’s dad, “Big” John Fury.
Hall and the Fury family were once on friendly terms, but tensions flared after a public spat in which the former World’s Strongest Man branded John a “bully”.
The feud snowballed into talks over a fight, with Tommy stepping up to defend the Fury name.
“Eddie and my father actually had a bust-up, and that’s why this whole thing came about,” Fury explained.
“It wasn’t really that much to do with me, but obviously, if you’re going to have a bus stop with my dad, then it does concern me.
“So that’s the reason why I’m in this predicament now.
“I’m stepping up defending my old dad.”
AUSSIES IN THE CROSSHAIRS?
Fury remains one of the most sought-after names in crossover boxing, with fighters from around the world regularly calling him out in a bid to land a career-changing payday.
Among them is Perth boxer Matt “The Jedi” Floyd, who was previously scheduled to fight Fury before the bout fell through.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia whether a showdown with Floyd – who is fighting on the same card this weekend – could still happen in the future, Fury hardly sounded enthusiastic.
“There’s every Tom, Dick, and Harry wanting to fight me, so I don’t really pay too much attention to everybody that’s called me out for a fight,” said Fury.
“I’m only interested in all the big names, because at the end of the day, I don’t want to be in a predicament where I’m doing everything for someone and nothing for myself.
“You have to bring something to the table. Eddie Hall is a massive, huge name globally, and that’s the reason why we’re doing this event.”
Fury was also asked about another massive athlete who has recently stepped into the boxing spotlight — 6-foot-7 former NRL enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The Melbourne Storm premiership winner is set to face former South Sydney prop George Burgess later this month, leading to speculation he could eventually emerge as a crossover opponent for Fury.
But unlike Hall, NAS isn’t yet on Fury’s radar.
“I’m not sure [about fighting NAS],” said Fury.
“I’ve not even seen the guy that you’re talking about, but he sounds like a big guy.
“Maybe Eddie will want to fight him after this.”
CAN FURY KNOCK ‘THE BEAST’ OUT?
Despite his unbeaten 11-0 record, Fury’s punching power has been questioned throughout parts of his pro career.
The younger Fury brother has heard the criticism before, but insists there is a reason fans haven’t yet seen the best of his power.
“I absolutely have the power to stop him,” he said.
“Don’t forget I’ve been boxing pretty much my whole career with a badly damaged hand. I just had hand surgery before my last fight, so I’m coming back with two hands now.
“If people think that I can’t knock people out, or get the stoppages against people, [they should] think very differently.
“I only need that one shot to land flush, like I’ve said time and time again.
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“I know what I do in the gym, my team knows what I do in the gym, and especially my dad knows what I do in the gym with seasoned people, and it just needs to be displayed on fight night.
“As long as I get that one shot that lands right, I think it will be goodnight for anybody.”