London (23 December) Hughie Lewis Fury's development is going "exactly to plan" in his first year as a professional, says father and trainer Peter Fury.
The 19-year-old heavyweight, who turned professional in March, is still developing and Peter believes he is coming on “fantastically” and is a “throwback to world class fighters of the past.”
“It’s worked exactly to plan giving him as many fights as possible in this space of time - it’s done him nothing but good,” Peter said.
“He’s now fighting clever, while before he felt like mixing it up and taking opponents out, he’s now pacing himself and he’s trying different things in there.
“It’s given him the best possible grounding and he’s ready for bigger and better things, I think he’s come on fantastically.”
In the space of just nine months as a professional, this young and exciting talent has made his pro debut in Montreal, fought at Madison Square Garden, New York, performed in front of huge terrestrial television audiences live on Channel 5 and has featured in the world class training camps of his older cousin and fellow undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury, alongside the likes of former IBF world cruiserweight king Steve 'USS' Cunningham and ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers.
With such a résumé and boasting a perfect 12 wins from 12 contests, with seven knockouts, it's been quite a year so far for the teenage heavyweight.
Peter is pleased with how Hughie is progressing in the professional ranks, but recognises that this is no surprise given his amateur pedigree, as the first ever British fighter to win a Gold Medal at the World AIBA Youth Boxing Championships at super heavyweight.
“People have got to remember that he’s a former amateur World Champion and so the talent and pedigree is there,” Peter said.
"He’s been fighting in front of big crowds, fighting with niggling injuries, protecting a previous cut, he’s been fighting through fatigue and all these things are giving him the experience of knowing what to do when certain things go against him.
"He’s learning from every situation, every time he jumps in that ring - he's a throwback to world class fighters of the past and they're already likening Hughie to the top fighters in the heavyweight division, which is absolutely amazing considering he’s only just turned 19-years-old.
“He’s a world class heavyweight, the power is coming and the good thing with Hughie is people are seeing the progress.”
The 6'7" fighter is also being tipped to beat Mike Tyson’s famous record of becoming the youngest ever world heavyweight champion.
Promoter Mick Hennessy can't wait for Hughie to show what he's got in 2014.
"Hughie has got all the talent in the world and I'm really pleased with his level of progress and development," Mick Hennessy said.
"He's a great person, a great talent and he's already showing that he's going to be exceptional.
"I'm really excited for the year ahead as I believe in 2014 he will show everyone what a talent he really is."
