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Keen to make up for lost time, a rejuvenated Hughie Lewis Fury faces Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko on February 21 in Monte Carlo and believes victory will set him up for a big 2015.
The talented 20-year-old has been out of the ring since May, due to illness, but is now back to showing his best form in the gym and eager to start climbing the world heavyweight rankings.
“I want the chance to show people what I’m capable of doing, and the only way I can do that is by fighting good opponents,” he said. “Nobody cares if you look good beating up a journeyman over four or six rounds.
“There’s no need for warm-ups if I’m training with quality heavyweights on a regular basis. There’s no point having a full camp for a six-rounder.”
Rudenko is anything but a journeyman. The 31-year-old is ambitious, dangerous and has won 24 of 25 professional fights. He has 16 knockouts to his name and is known for his heavy hands and toughness. Hughie knows all about him.
“I’ve done a few rounds of sparring with Rudenko in the past and I’ve watched a few videos of him since the fight was made,” he said. “He’s definitely a step-up in class for me and is no knockover. He went the distance with Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne in a close fight some people felt he won.
“He’s just very strong and tough. He comes forward and tries to force the pace. He’s obviously durable because ‘Big Daddy’ Browne, who is a big puncher, hit him with everything and never got him out of there. It will be a good test for me.”
Fury has yet to go beyond eight rounds as a pro but now prepares to fight Rudenko over the ten round distance. Rather than a cause for concern, though, the unbeaten youngster is relishing the opportunity to properly showcase his array of skills.
“We’re training for twelve rounds,” said Fury, 14-0 (8 KOs). “This fight may or may not go the distance, but I’m fully prepared if it does. We’re not training for an early night, we’re training to go the full distance at a good pace. Even if they change it to a twelve rounder on the night, I’ll be ready for two extra rounds.
“Rudenko’s got age and experience on his side, but I’m younger and fresher and I’m on the way up. I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of on the 21st.”
American heavyweight Kevin Johnson has expressed his admiration for Hughie Lewis Fury and backed the unbeaten youngster to fulfil his potential and one day win a world heavyweight title.
“I fell in love with the kid back in Canada when I first boxed with him,” he said. “He must’ve only been 17 or 18 years of age.
“What I love about the guy is he’s brought a little bit of the American craft and added that to his style. That’s unusual for fighters from over here. Most fighters from Europe tend to be pretty basic – one-two, one-two, one-two-three type of fighters. But this kid has learnt and developed the American way and that separates him from the rest.
“I see things in him that these other prospects don’t have. He has composure, poise and he can throw shots they can’t. He doesn’t just do the A, B, C, basic stuff. He’s always thinking in there and is able to improvise when he needs to. The kid can hit, too. He hits like a horse kicks. You can’t play with him.
“He’s coming up right behind Tyson already and he’s only 20 years of age. That’s incredible. I really do think he has the ability to go all the way.”
As for the test that awaits Fury on February 21, Johnson sees no reason why Hughie Lewis won’t be able to keep his unbeaten record intact.
“This is no easy walk in the park for Hughie,” said Johnson. “If he gets careless and gets clipped, he could get dropped or worse.
“Some people are surprised he’s stepped up so quickly, but I’m not. I always say this to myself: ‘If you plan on being the world heavyweight champion, why the hell would you worry about a guy who is 21-0? He’s not the heavyweight champion. He means nothing to me.’
“Well, I think Hughie is probably looking at Rudenko the same way. He sees him as a guy who is 24-1 and who has been beaten by Lucas Browne. Those are the cold, hard facts. Rudenko is not a world heavyweight champion and he probably never will be. Hughie, though, is good enough to one day win a world heavyweight title, so he should be confident of beating a guy like Rudenko at this stage.
“Does Hughie want to be a champion? If he doesn’t, this fight will be a struggle on February 21. He may find his level and come unstuck. But if Hughie does want to be a champion – and I’m certain he does – he’ll ace this test with flying colours. He’ll show he’s on a different level.”
Unsurprisingly, Johnson is enjoying his time with Team Fury in Bolton and sees the experience as perfect preparation ahead of a proposed fight against Anthony Joshua on April 25.
“It’s like a reality television show here,” he said. “When we’re not in the gym, we’re not in the gym. But when we’re in the gym, it’s about the gym and it’s about training and giving your best. You give everything. There’s no time to mess around with any foolishness.
“These are serious people and we’ve all got serious fights on the horizon. You have to give it your all because you can get hurt if you don’t. I love camps like this. It’s why I got into boxing. The atmosphere is just great. We work five days a week and do unlimited rounds. It just never stops.”
Fury vs. Rudenko is part of the ‘Thunderbolt in Monaco’ show on February 21 (Channel 5). Headlining the event will be the WBA Super world middleweight title fight between the fearsome Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Britain’s Martin Murray.
