In one week, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew hostilities when they meet in a huge rematch, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
As part of the DAZN Big Fight Countdown, we arrive at day seven and we take it back to Fury’s USA debut.
Tyson Fury always had big hopes of making it big in America.
Long before the Saudi Arabian influence and U.K. stadium fight era, America was the dream fight stage for all fighters and Fury would make his bow there in 2013.
The future world champion had already competed in Canada three years earlier, but this was America, this was New York City, this was the basement at Madison Square Garden.
Opposing Fury on this night would be Steve Cunningham, a former cruiserweight world champion who had once served in the US Navy.
The fight was seemingly set to be a showcase for Fury to impress the American audience, and although he did, it wasn't in the manner he had probably envisioned.
Outweighing his opponent by 44lbs and enjoying a significant height advantage, Fury had the opportunity to use his size in this bout, but he bided his time to do so.
Choosing to exchange and showboat, Fury’s constant taunting eventually caught up with him when his reckless approach allowed Cunningham into the fight.
After absorbing several shots in the early stages of the contest, Fury was still unwilling to focus on defence and he paid for that decision when. He was dropped heavily by a huge right hand.
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As we have seen later in his career, Fury had incredible recovery powers, and they were on display here as he rallied after the setback.
Slowly easing his way back into the fight, Fury took less risks, but it was still a fight that was finely balanced until round seven started.
Having his opponent trapped on the ropes, Fury’s left hand took away Cunningham's vision, and he landed a flush right hand that Cunningham didn't see coming.
Cunningham had put everything into the fight, and that likely played a huge part in his failure to beat the count.
Fury’s American debut had been a remarkable success, and he would enjoy further glories there throughout the remainder of his career.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.
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