Unpredictable Fury
Tyson Fury is known for his unpredictable behaviour; however, his decision to switch trainers just two months out from his highly anticipated rematch with WBC champion Deontay Wilder certainly raised a few eyebrows.
Fury has been building his popularity stateside in anticipation of the rematch and has suggested that the reason for him switching trainers was that he was ‘going stale’. Fury's former trainer took to Twitter to announce that the split was an amicable one with both individuals making the decision in the best interests of their careers.
One thing is for sure: Fury will need to produce a better performance than he did in his last fight against Otto Wallin if he’s to stand a chance of prevailing over Deontay Wilder in their Las Vegas rematch on February 22nd.
Who is Tyson Fury’s new trainer and is he any good?
Replacing Ben Davison is Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill Steward – nephew of the late, great trainer Emanuel ‘Manny’ Steward. Manny Steward trained 41 world champions, amongst them the legendary Tommy Hearns. Manny was quick to recognise Fury's talent even prophesying that he would go on to become the next dominant heavyweight after Wladamir Klitschko.
It was during Fury's visit to Detroit in 2010 that he met Steward's nephew, Sugar Hill. Sugar Hill grew up in and around the famous Kronk Gym and revered his uncle so much that he even changed his last name to Steward. Whilst he may not possess his uncle's resume, Sugar Hill has still worked with some top-level boxers including Adonis Stevenson, Andy Lee, Anthony Dirrell and Charles Martin.
Is he the right choice, and what about the timing?
Even if he wanted to, two months isn't a lot of time for Steward to make any significant adjustments to Fury's style. However, from a stylistic perspective, I think the two will work well together.
In this short video of Steward training Jonathon Banks you can see the importance he places on the jab – a key punch for any boxer but particularly Fury given his wingspan. I also like the way Sugar Hill simulates an opponent when working the mitts, keeping the boxer focussed on what’s coming back as well as their own output. You see far too many boxing trainers holding the pads just for their fighters to blast away and look pretty; it's unrealistic and it doesn't mimic a fight.
Furthermore, the addition of Fury's cousin Andy Lee brings more experience to the team as well as a familiar face for when he walks back to his corner during rounds on fight night. I don't think it's a bad setup at all. Put it this way, I'd be more concerned for Fury if he'd gone with a more aggressively-minded trainer such as Freddie Roach. Perhaps Sugar Hill will have Fury sitting down a little more on his punches to generate more power, but I wouldn't advise Fury to deviate wildly from the sort of tactical game plan devised by Ben Davison for the first fight.
For most fighters, changing trainers this close to a big fight would be a huge red flag. The bond between a boxer and trainer takes time to develop; styles take time to gel. However, there may be some subtle adjustments Fury can make with Steward and Lee in his corner. Fury definitely didn't look his best against Otto Wallin and if he was for whatever reason getting a bit stale under Davison then perhaps this change is what was needed. Not to downplay the role of the boxing trainer either but as long as Fury is in top physical shape and motivated then I don't think it matters too much who is giving him water and instruction between rounds. He's proved that he's capable of outboxing Wilder, but can he stay switched on and avoid Wilder's right hand over 12 rounds?
What about Ben Davison?
Ben Davison deserves huge credit for the role he has played with Tyson Fury. Davison was there for Fury through the bad times and the good, moving into Fury's house and successfully chartering a course for the 28-stone Lancastrian to return to boxing and in the process helping Fury to find his passion for life once again.
Despite the naysayers, Davison proved over his five-fight association with Fury that his confidence in his ability was more than clever salesmanship. He is in my opinion one of boxing's brightest training talents, and at 27 has already experienced opportunities that most trainers can only dream of. Davison has a bright future ahead of him and with the prospect of Billy Joe Saunders taking on Canelo Alvarez in May could soon be involved in another blockbuster fight.
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