By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan talks to Fightnews.com® about Tyson Fury, whom he says could be the greatest heavyweight of all time. The Colonel also talks about dream fights with Tyson Fury against other great heavyweights which include Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis.
“Because of Tyson Fury’s size, Muhammad Ali would box in the hallway and stay away from him. I am talking about the early Ali and not the one after the layoff. I think Ali would be able to stay away from Fury and box his ears off, but in the end if Fury hits him on the chin he is going. Fury could definitely knock Ali out. There were European fighters who had knocked down Ali.
“Lennox Lewis is a super, super fighter. He was very clever. He had a knack of pushing a guy’s head down like he did with the White Buffalo Frans Botha and knocked him out with one shot. Lennox Lewis has got to rate as one of the best heavyweights of all time. Lennox is a dear friend but I think Tyson Fury is something special. A freak of the day. Great racehorses and great athletes are freaks and Tyson Fury is one of them. Tyson Fury gets knocked down but he gets back up. Not a lot of heavyweights who get knocked down can get back up. Wilder put Fury down but he got up. And Wilder can punch.
“Getting up from a knockdown is the key and that is why I rated Larry Holmes as number one. I’ve seen him get knocked out in Pittsburg by Renaldo Snipes and at the count of three his eyes were rolling back in his head and his right foot was quivering but he got up to beat Renaldo. I’ve seen Larry get hit by Ernie Shavers, which everyone agrees is the best heavyweight puncher of all time and he beat him after being down and then the same thing happened against Mike Weaver. Larry got knocked out but got up to beat all three of them. At that time in history, no other super heavyweight had got off the canvas three times after being knocked out. That’s why I rated Larry Holmes as number one. Not the Larry Holmes that boxed Mike Tyson.
“I have Tyson Fury knocking Larry Holmes out. Tyson Fury is a freak of nature like Secretariat, who is a huge man who is super tough and a super great guy.
“Tyson Fury knocks out everybody, in my opinion, until he gets too old. He is the greatest fighter in the world today and could be the best heavyweight who ever lived.“
We will never be able to call Tyson Fury the GOAT. However, it is realistic to place him among the greatest names of all time. He belongs to the exclusive group perhaps already now.
It is exciting to compare boxers over time. Something that even boxing fans must be able to talk about. And disagree about.
All of these fights would be very interesting in their own way. And just the fact that you start making these comparisons in your head says something about the respect Tyson Fury should have.
We need to see more big wins from him, first
Apparently, since Fury beat Wilder – Wilder is no longer a bum. Fury gets a lot of credit now after beating a so-called bum in Wilder. Between Wilder and an old Klitschko theres not much resume for Fury. Those guys Bob mentioned fought great fighters. Fury had to be taken to court because he tried to get out of an obligation, thats dishonorable. Thats not what a GOAT does.
Fury dont deserve to be in same sentence as Ali or Lewis.
Bob seems senile anyways, keep repeating the same things over and over.
Btw, if a guy got dropped it doesn”t matter if it was by a European. His generation is as biased as they come.
you are right
man is showing his age, Tyson Fury could KO Ali? Ernie Shavers, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, all couldn’t KO an old Ali….but Tyson Fury could?
I agree with him. I’d go with tyson fury because he’s 2 weight divisions higher than everyone else.
His size will really stand out as he will use it to walk them into the ropes and lean his body against them.
It takes a lot of energy trying to stay off the ropes, I’m not talking about trading. I’m talking about your back is fighting to prevent falling out the ring and preventing your back from turning into a pretzel. Your back isn’t designed to bend backwards that far back and tyson will exploit this.
Tyson will jab and throw a few punches but he will tire you out before committing into a more aggressive mode.
Imo Ali has more skill and speed than tyson will ever see but fury is just too big.
Hell he will make foreman look like a cruiserweight but tyson has the skill to back it up.
Larry holmes beats fury in his prime easily. And lewis too beats fury.furys only win when he beats old and sick klitscko.
The Colonel needs to lay off on whatever he’s smoking. It’s ok, Colonel, just go to the corner and play with some tinker toys of something. Leave the real analysis to everyone else. Fury is good but he doesn’t beat a prime Ali or Holmes and isn’t the GHOAT. Fury barely got past Otto Wallin for Pete’s sake. I can see Fury defeating Lewis but even that’s doubtful
One thing is for sure. A prime Tyson hook from the 1980s on Fury’s chin would have dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Only way Fury could have held off Tyson on the inside is by holding on and hugging him for dear life.
Tyson only had 3-4 yrs that was it
Fury pretty good but dosen’t beat any of those mentioned in the article.
Good to see the Colonel has recovered from the battle with drug fueled cartel biker gangs in Victorville last year. For a while it was touch and go for the Colonel and his $200,000 2021 Corvette.
Oh yes, I recall the stories he made up! LOL, love it.
Ha, I was just going to write that apparently he suffered some head trauma in that attack. I’m not sure if Fury would get past Weaver, Tubbs, and Witherspoon, let alone Ali, Holmes, and Lewis. The Colonel sure does have a flair for the outrageous.
There are 9 people on his record he didn’t knock out. He wouldn’t knock out all these great fighters Bob listed.
Holmes, Ali, Forman, Usyk, all 6’3″. Imagine what happens to these types of comparison of who’s the greatest if Usyk beats Fury.
Or imagine if Holmes, Ali, Forman, Usyk, all were also 6’9″ and weighed 270 pounds, things would be different surely. Fury’s biggest advantage is really him strangely somehow still being able to be so mobile and still have decent speed at his height and weight.
Biologically, there are trades that are made with humans when sizing up and down. Fury is much stronger than those men but not as fast as them (although he is fast). If they were as big as him they wouldn’t be as fast as they were at the smaller size so if you are going to think of them bigger you must also think of them as slower than their smaller selves. Compare crusierweights to heavyweights. They are faster but not as strong. Most of them can’t compete at heavyweight and for the few that can, most of them have to gain some weight like Usyk did and therefore become heavyweights themselves although not all fighters can just gain weight and still be effective.
Your argument of “imagjne” can be used to increase or lessen every skill. Imagine if Holmes had a better left hook…imagine if Ali punched to the body…imagine if Tyson had a bigger reach. Fury’s speed inspite of his size IS a skill like any other skill.
Of course he does. He has size and talent and I agree he wins those fights.
Ali barely got past Henry Cooper, lost to Frazier convincingly once and wanted to quit one of the other times he fought Frazier but his corner wouldn’t let him while Frazier was telling his corner not to stop it. Frazier was really not much more than a cruiserweight nowadays. He lost to cruiserweight-sized Ken Norton once and was lucky to get the decision the second time they fought. He lost to cruiserweight Spinks when he was 36 which is not ancient (I think Fury is maybe 34 right now). I think Usyk is a better fighter than Norton so would be interesting against Ali and Tyson Fury is twice as strong and at least as good of a boxer as Henry Cooper. I think Ali is like the Bruce Lee thing. Ali and Cossell called him the “Greatest” and made a legend out of him to where some people act like you are crazy if you talk about someone being able to beat him they act like it is sacrilege but he was a human that lost several times in his own era so surely some people from other eras might be able to beat him also on some nights. Don’t let nostalgia cloud your judgement of fighters. Judge them side by side based on strength, speed of movement, heart, and technique such as defensive and offensive skills and try to do it by watching them within a few minutes of each other.
Again, Fury is big, nobody will argue that. and he moves well, for his size, but who has tested him. His claim to fame is that he got up after being knocked down 4 times by Wilder. That’s really thin evidence to proclaim him the greatest fighter. It’s really nonsense. What great boxer has he been in with that was in his prime? Ali went through a murder’s row of punchers in his prime, and a second one after his best, fighting 15 rounders, as did Holmes. Fury isn’t that strong. Do you think he would have been pushing Liston, Foreman and Lyle around? I can’t see it, and he’s not a great puncher either. He’s being proclaimed ATG after fighting how many elite fighters? How would he fare against a good combination throwing fighter? A great body-punching, pressure fighter? The evidence to proclaim him great is missing. It’s nonsense. All because he stood up after 4 knockdowns.
This is a ridiculous attempt to try and spark controversy. The only fight fighter Fury has a chance against here is Lewis. Simply because Lewis is chinny, and tactical. Fury might be able to get in his head for enough rounds to win. Ali and Holmes were twice as skilled, ten times faster, and READY TO DIE. Fury’s bullshit would not work for one round let alone twelve or fifteen. There is no doubt that Fury is the best in the world right now, but there is no reason to drag Ali and Holmes into this half ass attempt at click bait.
I could see that. Fury is one of the greatest if not THE greatest of all time.
Possibly true, but in my 71 years and a great fan of boxing since age 12, I have witnessed each and every generation from my father who grew up in the 1920-30’s all think the fighters they saw and knew about were the greatest of all time. Before Fury all one heard about was his name sake, Mike Tyson as being the greatest of all time, so on and on it goes.
This is over the top, I’m a big Tyson Fury guy & he’s amazed me with his comeback. I willed him to beat Wilder & as it turned out he did a good job. I hope he beats Usyk & I honestly think he ought. Talking about The Colonel…..In my humble opinion no heavyweight beat Mike Tyson in between the Marvis Frazier fight & the Michael Spinks fight.
Old age makes us say only nonsense (bull s..ts in better English) and this is a good example
The Colonel must be drunk!! No way Fury Beats the likes of Ali, Holmes, Lennox, Foreman or a prime Vitali!!!
No f$%ckin’ way, on all 3 accounts.
How would Fury land a glove in the Ali who beat Liston? How would he cope with the jab of Holmes? And what would happen when Lennox landed some big shots?
Prime Liston probably beats all of them-nobody knew his real age and was past his prime when he finally got a shot at the title.
Liston’s own mother gave his official birth date that was in question at the time as July 22, 1930. After all who would know better, she was there.
Ya I hear Fury also walks on water.
Fury is definitely skilled for his size.
But still think Lennox Lewis has the most complete mix of size, power, athleticism, educated jab, and boxing skills.
Ali is definitely the most intriguing heavy in history with his hand speed, footwork and style and he should be able to win a decision in a tactical fight against Fury. I don’t see him hurting Fury tho unless he gets a a lucky punch in like cunnigham did.
But i do think Lennox would be the one to crack Fury and take him out!
A prime Mike Tyson had the style but Fury is smart, he would jab and hold and lean on him. I think if Tyson wins it would be by early ko, Fury wins if the fight goes beyond 7 rounds.
Lennox gives anyone in history a tough fight tho.
I was thinking about Lewis too, the younger version, fearless and full of confidence. That’s the fight I personally would like to see most of above.
This guy is way off with this statement ,early Ali smokes him ,early Tyson smokes him ,Bowe ,Lewis ,Tucker in there primes would beat him…give me a break.
Pure idiocy. Bob’s one of those simpletons for whom the latest is always the greatest. Ali, Lewis and Holmes beat Fury all day and night. They had proper skills, not just juking around and winging haymakers.
Total nonsense. If I were to compile a list of all the fighters that I don’t think Fury would beat, it’d be a rather hefty one. He caught Wladimir at the right time. Wlad should have retired the very moment that Emanuel died, he’s broken without him. Vitali beats Fury all day long. The list just goes on and on as we step back through time. I’d like to see if Fury could have survived Butterbean for 4 rounds, I’d pay to watch that.
These discussions are very interesting and impossible to prove one way or another. People I am sure love the older fighters like Marciano and Dempsey but I have a hard time seeing them compete against a man the size and skill of Fury. I know the Colonel did not mention Marciano or Dempsey. I only bring them up to remind us how much the size of a heavyweight has changed from generation to generation. Guys like Usyk and Holyfield became bigger then the great Joe Louis. Size of course if not everything but it can be a factor. Styles also come into play. Maybe Marciano would be big enough to hang in there will Ali but would get trampled by Fury? Who knows? I do see the Colonel’s point and I think Fury would be a problem for anyone. We all love the heavies but some more interesting debates would be in the other weight classes where size would not be as much of a factor. Imagine Ray Robinson and Roy Jones squaring off at their middleweight peaks?
You wrote pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Height and weight make a huge difference in a lot of sports, especially boxing. And when the person is athletic and fast for their huge size, it makes them even that much harder to beat. Current professional athletes are much bigger, stronger, and faster than they were back in the day. I really don’t see how any of the fighters like Ali, Foreman, or Lewis would have a chance. They just wouldn’t be able to compete with many of the boxers of today because of the tremendous size difference.
Bob you are dreaming. Fury the best come on now.
Bull
He meant ali, lewis, holmes would ko fury!! fury is slow like a dumb turtle not a chance he could beat those three ,fury would probably would of lost to gerry cooney!!
Larry Holmes would school Fury with just his jab.
Larry Holmes is one of my favorites. He has one more hand too, as a reminder, it’s not bad either, shoulders that seem to be able to throw punches from all sorts of positions, will, stamina and fearlessness. Who wouldn’t have a problem against an Holmes in shape?
We all know his qualities, of course also an intelligent boxer like Tyson Fury. I think he would focus on Holmes’ weaknesses while being aware of his strengths. Not a secret. You always do.
Holmes’ footwork leaves something to be desired. I think that Tyson Fury would possibly succeed in exposing that. Larry Holmes who moves forward but has trouble reaching the target on many occasions. Tyson Fury moving sideways and backwards while using his reach. When Holmes gets too close, Fury will use his physics.
An interesting fight I think.
We all agree on Larry Holmes’ greatness so it doesn’t need to be proven. I can understand those who want to see more of Tyson Fury before placing him among the very best.
Point taken: remarkably fast hands and feet for a behemoth, a jab abd a half, precision punching sometimes from any old angle – a sudden double right lead after a skirmish – chin enough to get up after a Wilder missile and survive three 15-rounders against him….However, can we really talk of dealing with Lewis, Holmes, Ali when we can only see Tyson in the context of an aging Klitschko, Whyte, Chisora, Sefer Seferi……?
Seeing as Fury failed to stop Chisora and several of his early opponents, how do you think he would stop Ali when big hitters like Foreman Shavers Frazier and Norton couldn’t ?
Spoonbill
Who needs a fight after a press conference between Ali and Fury?
Horse Hockey! Tyson Fury doesn’t have NEARLY enough history fighting elite fighters to justify mentioning him in the same sentence as Ali, Holmes and several others. How many fighters have come along in the last 75 years and seemed invincible, before someone figured them out and they faded into the sunset? Quite a few. So Fury’s big. He looks like a great boxer as he fights others who aren’t. Put in against a young Ali he would look slow and clumsy in comparison. You think Otto Wallin cut him up. He would have needed a transfusion after Ali. Besides Wilder, who has he beaten. Chisora? Dillian White? A past it Vlad? And you’re going to proclaim him the goat??? Based on what? Because he’s big? I hope you aren’t considered a boxing expert. How would he do in 15 round fights with a ref who kept him from hitting behind the head, slapping with open gloves, holding and hitting, shoving…etc.?? Think before you write.
Hey what about George Foreman at his prime vs Fury?
looking forward to seeing the hit job Usyk does to him.
Fury destroys Ali. Vitali klitschko and Lennox Lewis would be tough fights for him. I think fury would beat them both 7 out of 10 times .
If an in shape prime james toney fought ali , my money would be on james toney.
Ali stayed inside with Foreman and Frazier, he wouldn’t have any trouble with Fury.
The Colonel has obviously lost a few Marbles!
Tyson Fury the GOAT! That’s the most ridicules thing I’ve ever heard. Tyson Fury is the biggest fraud in the history of boxing. Fury is more entertaining outside the ring,
The Age of Absurdity. I’m a longtime boxing fan and Sheridan has never been credible in his analysis of fighters or fights. He’s simply a broadcaster. I forgot that he even existed until he was mentioned here in this story. The fact is that Tyson Fury is unbelievably overrated, easily one of the most pathetic heavyweights to come along since Primo Carnera, and benefits immensely by fighting in an era with fighters who have the least talent in the history of the sport. Ali would easily beat Fury in the same manner that he beat Ernie Terrell. Holmes would easily beat Fury in the same manner that he beat Gerry Cooney. Lewis would easily beat Fury in the same manner that he beat Razor Ruddock. In fact, Michael Spinks would beat the hell out of Fury in the same manner that he beat Cooney. I hate GOAT conversations, but Fury should NEVER be mentioned in these discussions. He’s that pathetic, and looks the part.
I don’t think Fury would get past Holyfield. He went life and death with a limited Wilder. What would he be able to do with a legendary fighter like the Real Deal who can make adjustments mid-fight?
@Tom: The absolute pace that Holyfield fought at would be too much for Fury. And the adjustments, it’s not something one sees much nowadays with heavyweight fighters.
If he believes Fury could defeat any ATG……..he needs to say no to drugs.
Foreman to Fury TIMBER!!!!!
Early version kills him so mean and strong and Fury doesn’t have the I Q Ali had inside 4 rounds it’s over Foreman was Hangry (hungry and angry )
Until he loses to Usyk, and then they will say the opposite.