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Tyson Fury back training in Belfast

One amateur club in Belfast had a very special visitor this morning.

St Paul’s ABC in Andersonstown, West Belfast had former unified and lineal heavyweight champ Tyson Fury through the doors for a training session.

The burgeoning Belfast club is home to Rio Olympian Brendan Irvine. ‘The Wee Rooster’ has claimed European Games silver and European Championships bronze, and looks to be one of the fighters to lead Ireland into the Tokyo Olympics.

Among others, Irish super featherweight champion James Tennyson boxed out of the Ralph McKay-helmed club before he turned pro.

While there, Fury went on the pads with coach Colin McKay.

Fury has not fought since winning the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles from long-reigning Ukrainian star Wladimir Klitschko in Duesseldorf back in November 2015.

Since then he has had a troubled time, courting numerous controversies, suffering from health problems, and having his belts divvied up among the rest of the division.

Before conquering the world, Manchester-born Fury was an Irish champion.

With a father hailing from Galway and a mother from Antrim, Fury spent a lot of time in Ireland as a youngster, where he boxed for Smithboro BC in Monaghan and Holy Family in Belfast, as well as representing the Irish team on trips abroad.

Fury [25(18)-0] fought as a pro four times in Ireland, including a 2012 Irish title win over Martin Rogan at the SSE Odyssey Arena. He remains the last man to have held the heavyweight green belt.

‘The Gypsy King’s’ cousin Hughie challenges for the WBO belt this month, taking on reigning champ Joseph Parker at the Manchester Arena.

The elder Fury however still looks a long way off fighting shape, if he is to ever return himself, however it is good to see the big man back training regardless.

gym trition

frayne carpentry

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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