• Heavyweight

Thompson brands Fury a 'complete f*****g joke'

ESPN staff
July 3, 2013

Veteran heavyweight Tony Thompson has blasted undefeated Brit Tyson Fury, describing him as a "complete f*****g joke", but insists he is a fan of fellow Brits David Haye and Dereck Chisora.

Thompson is over in the UK ahead of his rematch with Liverpool's David Price, who he shocked with a second round knockout when the pair first met at Price's hometown Echo Arena in Liverpool in February.

And while the 41-year-old had plenty of praise for the major players of the British heavyweight scene, Thompson aimed a furious tirade at the Mancunian Fury - and stated that the 26-year-old did not take the sport seriously.

"That Tyson Fury is a complete f*****g joke, man; a sideshow," Thompson told Glynn Evans. "I don't believe he's serious about the sport.

"He just wants to see how far it can raise his profile before trying to branch out into other things."

Thompson further stuck the boot in when admitting he was a fan of Fury's big rival and former WBA champion Haye - who is in talks with the Fury camp over a potential British super-bout - as well as Chisora.

"Over here [in the UK], I really like [Dereck] Chisora. He's all heart, comes to fight, leaves everything in the ring," Thompson said. "He's really good for the fans.

"I'm also an admirer of David Haye. He's very mobile and athletic yet deceptively strong and powerful for a comparatively small heavyweight."

The southpaw, who grew up on the streets of Washington DC, has only lost three times in his professional career - twice knocked out by Wladimir Klitschko.

Thompson added he would love to face Klitschko for a third time, but has conceded he may have to target brother Vitali or undefeated Russian Alex Povotkin - if he defeats Price for a second time.

"I doubt it would be Wladimir after he's destroyed me twice but perhaps Vitali or Povotkin, who has been nursing the WBA belt for a long while without doing a lot," Thompson said. "I'd certainly fancy either of those. Victory might then entice Wladimir again."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close