LIKE many of you, I was quite looking forward to Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko 2.
Not that the first fight was a thing of beauty, really.
Klitschko-Fury 1 was no fight of the year contender, mind you, but the proposed sequel was worth watching because there was simply a lot at stake for both fighters.
KLITSCHKO. For him, the motivation is certainly revenge. Before the loss, he had been undefeated in his last 22 fights dating back to 2004 and though already nearing the end of his career, he was a dominant champion in the heavyweight division.
Had he defeated Fury , retirement would have been the logical consequence after a career-defining victory.
Instead, he is up against literally the biggest challenge of his career now that he does not have the vestiges of youth on his side.
FURY. Dubbed a misogynist by many, the caustic Fury arrived on the scene with much aplomb, claiming to be certain of victory against Klitschko.
What was scary about it was that he practically prophesied what would transpire when they met- boxing and outhustling with surprising ease, a champion who appeared almost invincible for more than a decade.
Sure, size certainly had a lot do with it as he would be Klitschko?s biggest opponent to date, but Fury?s mettle was also a huge factor, as he sure looked like he knew what he was doing.
The question was , could he do it again? His motivation for the rematch was to prove it was no fluke, but now that the rematch has been cancelled, we will probably never know.
MENTAL. After he became champion, Fury started to unravel and he was decribed as becoming a ?runaway lorry?.
The first postponement to the rematch came in July due to an ankle injury. It was rescheduled, but he was subsequently declared medically unfit to fight.
What soon became clear was that Fury was suffering from mental health issues and also struggled with substance abuse.
His license was suspended and he subsequently announced his retirement on Twitter only to take it back a few days later.
Because of his failure to defend the belts, he has been stripped of his titles and as of the moment, his career is in limbo.
FUTURE. Fury?s implosion has left the division in a bit of disarray considering he held the WBO and WBA belts.
Most probably, Klitschko will end up challenging Anthony Joshua for the latter?s IBF diadem.
The 26 year old Joshua is relatively young and inexperienced but undefeated in 17 fights. He?s a knockout artist and so the 40-year old Klitschko will certainly have to be at his best to beat the hulking Joshua.
In the meantime, Fury has been relegated to the sidelines. He has recently come out in the open about his mental health issues, and we can only wish he recovers and gets reinstated.
VERBATIM. ?I can?t deal with it and the only thing that helps me is when I get drunk out of me mind. ?I?m a manic depressive. I just hope someone kills me before I kill myself.?Tyson Fury(www.dailymail.co.uk)
LAST ROUNDS. Are on Alma Alonso and my kumpare Atty Joel Seno who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!
