TYSON FURY vs RICH POWER

British heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury makes his U.S. TV debut on ShoBox tonight (Friday) in a scheduled eight-rounder against an unbeaten but little known Michigan southpaw named Rich Power.
 
This, clearly, is a showcase for the 6ft 9ins Fury. The big fellow is trained by his uncle, Hughie, but he was briefly under the direction of veteran Manchester trainer Brian Hughes, who tells me that Fury truly has world-class potential. Hughes said he got along well with Fury but didn’t always see eye to eye with the boxer’s father, former heavyweight Gypsy John Fury.
 
The oddsmakers have made Fury a massive favourite at something like -1500 and it is hard to disagree. Fury was a world junior championships bronze medallist in the amateurs and he has stopped nine opponents in 11 consecutive professional wins. Although Fury was considered fortunate to get the decision over John McDermott a year ago he came through some anxious moments to hammer his more experienced opponent into defeat in the ninth round in their rematch in June.
 
I think that Fury gained some respect in the second fight with McDermott because he showed he could rally from adversity. Power, 30, has been meeting opponents of a distinctly low calibre. Fury, 22, looks on a different level to his first American opponent and is much the bigger man.
 
Clearly, curiosity about Fury has spread across the Atlantic and I am sure he will be eager to make a striking impression. Fury is an outspoken individual who expresses a low regard for his British heavyweight rivals, but he seems a pleasant fellow nonetheless and he appears genuinely to believe that he is going to be world champion. Fans in the States will soon get the chance to decide for themselves. I can’t see Power spoiling the party and I am expecting a convincing win for Fury in about four rounds.

PREVIEWS IN SUBSCRIBERS' SECTION (AS OF FRIDAY A.M): Steve Molitor vs Jason Booth; Matthew Marsh vs Kris Hughes; Justin Salvi vs Alberto Garza and Kiko Martinez vs Arsen Martirosyan.