Fury triumphs on Canadian debut but questions remain

Tyson Fury recorded a shut-out points victory over American trialhorse Zack Page on the undercard of Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec, Canada, last night. After eight rounds of increasingly predictable action all three judges ruled Fury a 80-72 winner as the Manchester giant improved to 13-0 (9). The jury remains out on the heavyweight prospect's long term potential, however.

Fury (19st 2lbs), accompanied in his corner by legendary trainer Emanuel Steward for the first time, looked as good as I’ve seen him for a couple of rounds, doubling and tripling his stiff jab and popping Page (15st 2lbs) with some accurate rights making full use of his considerable height and reach advantages. The 37-year-old Page, becoming frustrated by his inability to bypass Fury’s jab and get in punching page, attempted to onrush the Manchester man in the third but copped a salvo to the body for his efforts as Fury impressively switched his attacks downstairs.

After the third session though Fury’s punch output dropped – perhaps no coincidence considering the Manchester gypsy was carrying excess flab around his ample mid-section. For the main Tyson still did as he pleased but perhaps with better conditioning he would have been able to up his workrate and pin the mobile Page down. Despite suffering (now) 33 losses in his career (against 21 wins and 2 draws), the American veteran has only been stopped on three occasions and Fury never looked liked making it four.

Instead of popping the jab out, Tyson tried to measure Page with his left hand before firing rights over the top in the fourth but his accuracy wasn’t as pinpoint as earlier. Page occasionally snuck through a right hand of his own as Fury dropped his left as his work became sloppier as the fight wore on.

There were few highlights as the fight progressed into its second half. Page was bundled over to the canvas in the fifth but quickly got to his feet as the action became predictable. Conscious that the Quebec crowd were becoming frustrated, Steward urged Fury to pick it up but other than attempting to land with the uppercut (which missed) Tyson continued to favour his jab and right hand.

This was by no means a bad performance from Fury, who at 22 still has bags of time to develop. But as his career progresses two things are becoming apparent. The Manchester prospect’s conditioning (or lack of) continues to impact his performances in the ring. There is also a question mark over Fury’s punch power as the Manchester man was taken the full route for the fourth time in his last six fights.