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Tyson Fury defeated Kevin Johnson via wide unanimous decision today in Belfast, in a WBC eliminator bout that gives the young Fury the right to an eventual world title shot, though we'll get more into that in a moment.
Fury (20-0, 14 KO) gave a professional effort for the most part, boxing his way to a rather easy victory over Johnson (28-3-1, 13 KO), whose lack of activity again made for a lousy TV fight, but did give Fury some rounds. The 24-year-old Fury never committed to any big attacks, though he had moments of pushing forward -- often, Fury kept his distance, controlled the pace (even considering Johnson doesn't have a "pace"), and used his jab to win the rounds.
It was plenty enough for the win, though likely not enough to convince anyone he's truly ready to face one of the Klitschko brothers.
As for the WBC situation, that's complicated. At one point, the Mitchell-Banks fight was listed as a semi-final WBC eliminator, with the feeling that Mitchell would win. Instead, Banks won, so who knows? Also complicating that is that Banks and the Klitschkos are obviously tight.
The January 26 fight between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne is also an eliminator, and had to go to a purse bid and everything. Those guys are ranked 1-2, so the WBC is firm on that one. Fury-Johnson was made an eliminator this week, for whatever reason, so if Channel 5 are correct -- and it wouldn't be their fault if they aren't, really, with this convoluted junk -- the winner of Arreola-Stiverne gets first crack at the belt, then Fury is in line, unless Vitali Klitschko retires, at which point the Arreola-Stiverne winner would face Fury for the vacant title.
So that's where all that could go, if you're wondering.
We'll be back later this evening with live coverage of the Cotto-Trout card.