UK MEDIA CONSENSUS: BRITISH PROSPECTS O’DONNELL & FURY HAVE THE TOOLS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPIONS

Posted on | September 3, 2010 | No Comments

Friday, Sept. 10 On SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT)

From York Hall in London

NEW YORK (Sept. 3, 2010) – Britain’s John O’Donnell and Tyson Fury are not yet household names in the United States, but exposure in America may be all that the talented fighters are lacking. Consensus from boxing experts across the pond is that both boxers possess the ability to one day win a world championship.

O’Donnell and Fury take what they hope will be the next step to becoming global superstars when they showcase their skills to a U.S. audience for the first time in the co-featured bouts on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Sept. 10, on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, same-day delay) from York Hall in London, England.

One of the top welterweight prospects in the UK, O’Donnell (23-1, 11 KOs), of Shepherd’s Bush, Great Britain and Galway, Ireland, will face his toughest opponent to date when he faces 1996 U.S. Olympic bronze medallist Terrence “Heat” Cauthen (35-6, 9 KOs), of Trenton, N.J., in a 12-round bout.

Fury (11-0, 9 KOs), a 6-foot-9 knockout artist from Manchester, England, will face an opponent to be named in the 8-round heavyweight co-feature.

Southpaw O’Donnell has been compared to ShoBox alums Paul Williams and Ricky Hatton, both of whom went on to capture world titles, while Fury’s style and stature resemble former British heavyweight kingpin Lennox Lewis.

What some of the most respected names in the British boxing press had to say about the young pugilists.

JOHN O’DONNELL:

Steve Lillis, News of the World, Daily Star

“John has all the tools – bags of ability, a smart promoter in Mick Hennessy backing him, Robert McCracken who is best trainer in Britain, a friendly personality and an Irish brogue…ShoBox is a huge opportunity and he must take it.”

Niall Hickman, Daily Express

“O’Donnell is a silky, smooth operator in the ring and unusually tall for a welterweight.”

Tris Dixon, Boxing News

“John O’Donnell is a talented southpaw who has skill to burn. His long, lean physique and low right hand means he cuts an unusual figure in the ring. His short right hook is arguably his best shot.”

Jeff Powell, Daily Mail

“Americans will see a similarity in the tall build and rangy style with Paul Williams.’’

Steve Bunce, BBC News and author of ‘The Fixer’

“John O’Donnell is tenacious, a quick learner and a sharp fighter. In the British welterweight landscape, he is ready for the top two or three — he would argue that he is at the top of the list.”

Nick Parkinson, Daily Star Sunday

“O’Donnell has the potential to box for a world title in the next two years.”

Kevin Francis, Boxing Correspondent, Daily Star

“He’s very speedy and there is more than a hint of Ricky Hatton in his style.”

Phil Barnett, Press Association

“O’Donnell is a fighters’ fighter with the potential to break out and make a name for himself outside the inner circle of British boxing.’’

TYSON FURY:

Steve Bunce, BBC News and author of The Fixer

“There are promoters all over the world praying each morning that a Tyson Fury walks in off the street. He could be the white Larry Holmes, and that is not a bad nickname.”

Kevin Francis, Boxing Correspondent, Daily Star

“He is relentless in the ring, a little like Lennox Lewis used to be. The heavyweight division is crying out for someone of pace and power and Tyson could be the Brit to go all the way.”

Steve Lillis, News of the World – Daily Star

“Apart from WBA champion David Haye, Tyson Fury is the most talked about British heavyweight puncher.”

Niall Hickman, Daily Express

“Tyson has ignited the heavyweight scene in Britain. A future world heavyweight champion? Without a doubt. But it is up to Fury, who must settle down with an experienced coach.”

Tris Dixon, Boxing News

“He is so young for a heavyweight but he has already shown he is prepared to take on a challenge.”

Jeff Powell, Daily Mail

“Tyson Fury resembles Shannon Briggs without the dreadlocks. There are also faint echoes of Riddick Bowe.”

Phil Barnett, Press Association

“Tyson Fury has all the tools to be Britain’s greatest natural heavyweight since Lennox Lewis. While David Haye grew into the role from the cruiserweight division, Fury is a classic, throw-back heavyweight. Massive, marketable and mean, the only thing he lacks is experience.”

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman and Andre Ward.